Information and FAQs | Jim Darcy Elementary School

Helena Public Schools > Jim Darcy Elementary School > Information and FAQs

Information and FAQs

REPORTING ATTENDANCE

Please call our office number 324-1410 by 8:30 am to report your child’s absence. If you wish to call before or after school hours, you may leave a message on our voicemail.

You are also always welcome to email @ JimDarcy@helenaschools.org

Allergy Alert!!

Please remember we have students and staff that have severe allergies to latex, dogs, and nuts. To reduce the risk of exposure, please

Do not send latex balloons to school (mylar is acceptable)
Keep dogs out of the school buildings
Check with your child’s teacher before bringing in treats for the class
Know that if your child brings a sack lunch with nuts, he/she may be asked to sit at another table

Breakfast and Lunch Program

MEAL PRICES
BREAKFAST
K-12 Student Breakfast: $2
Adult Breakfast: $3.00

LUNCH
K-5 Student Lunch: $3
Adult Lunch: $5

MILK $.60

Cash or checks (payable to: Jim Darcy Elementary) can be turned in to the office each morning. For parents that use the Mealtime online system, there will be a small processing charge. This is a management fee from Mealtime, not Helena Public School.

Parents may enjoy one FREE meal per month. We’d love to have you join your child for lunch. Please check in the office upon arrival. View Lunch Menu

11:15-11:35: K and 1st lunch
11:35-11:55: 2 and 3 lunch, K,1 recess
11:55-12:15: 4 and 5 lunch, 2,3 recess
12:15-12:35: 4,5 recess

Lost and Found

The Lost and Found is located outside by the pavilion. Periodically we will donate all unclaimed items to charity. Please label all possessions your child brings to school. This will help us identify lost clothing.

Medication

In order to ensure the safety of the child who is taking the medicine, we are not permitted to give students medication at school without a signed authorization form from both the physician and parent. These forms are available in the office as well as at most doctor’s offices.

Playground/Recess

School staff are on duty outside at 7:45 am each school day. Students are expected to go to the playground before school starts at 8:30 am.

Students go outside for recess unless the temperature is below zero. Please send your child with the appropriate clothing. We also suggest you send an extra set of clothes in your student’s backpack, if you think they might get wet or muddy at recess.

PTO

PTO planning meetings are the 2nd Monday of the month in the cafeteria from 6-7. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Childcare is provided. Check out the PTO webpage for more information.

PARKING and Dropoff

School Starts Promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Morning Drop-Off

YOU play an important role in setting your child up for a successful day! Arriving on time and ready to learn helps students begin the day feeling confident, prepared, and connected.

East Side Drop-Off Loop

Students should exit from the right (passenger) side of the vehicle.
Please have students use the sidewalk to safely access the playground.
This is a drop-and-go zone. Please do not park in the loop during drop-off, as it helps keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

West Side Drop-Off

This entrance is not supervised during morning arrival.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring their child safely reaches the playground.
Please do not stop or park in a way that blocks the entrance, as it may create traffic congestion and safety concerns.

Breakfast & Morning Supervision

Playground supervision is available Monday–Friday from 7:45–8:30 a.m. Please do not drop students off before 7:45 a.m.
Breakfast is served beginning at 7:55 a.m.
Students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn when the school day begins promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Dismissal

Monday: 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday–Friday: 3:15 p.m.

At the end of the school day, students who are being picked up will be dismissed to the playground.

Students may not walk to vehicles without a caregiver. A parent, guardian, or designated adult must come onto the playground to pick up their student. We encourage families to designate a consistent meeting spot with their Mustang.
Playground supervision is available until 2:45 p.m. on Mondays and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday–Friday. Please ensure students are picked up by these times. Students who remain after supervision ends will wait in the office, and families will be contacted.
For the safety of all students, dogs are not permitted on the playground between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. unless prior arrangements have been made with the school.

Parking & Safety

Please do not park along the sides of Grand Valley Road, as this creates visibility and traffic safety concerns.
Please be mindful of traffic flow and use designated parking areas whenever possible.

Dressing for School – Ready for Anything

Please send your child in weather appropriate clothing. Our Mustangs are outside before school, after school, and during recess times whenever the temperature (with or without the wind chill) is above zero degrees. Students do not go outside when the air quality is in the unhealthy range (https://gis.mtdeq.us/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=000f42b119c44c7f9c3b4336470c721e)

PLEASE LABEL all coats, sweaters, hats, boots, mittens, and backpacks with your child’s name. K students please send a change of clothing in the backpacks every day. Bathroom accidents as well as spills are common as students adjust to a new school routine.

Final Reminder

Whenever possible, please avoid checking your child out of school before the end of the day. Learning continues until dismissal, and every minute of instructional time matters!