School Day Reminders

Quick Reminders

  • School breakfast and lunch are FREE for every student.

  • Label all coats, hats, gloves, and water bottles with your student’s name and classroom teacher.

  • All parent volunteers must have up-to-date volunteer clearance to attend field trips.

  • All snacks and lunches must be peanut-free.

  • Students must turn in all electronic devices at the start of the school day.

  • Keep toys at home — we cannot guarantee they will be treated at school as at home.

Dress Code Options

  1. either the traditional Whittier uniform:

  • White or burgundy POLO shirt WITH KHAKI PANTS, SKIRTS, OR SHORTS.

    Students are not permitted to wear head garments or wraps inside the building. Parents should notify the school in writing if a student must wear headgarments due to religious purposes.

School Uniform Colors

Burgundy, white, and khaki.

 

2. or approved Whittier-branded swag:

Whittier Swag

Students can wear their Whittier swag any day of the week with khaki bottoms and on Fridays with jeans.

 

Whittier Dress Code options.

Student dress-down days are only on the student’s birthday. ** UNLESS NOTED BY PRINCIPAL JOHNSON, and during spirit weeks throughout the year,

**PLEASE SEE MS. FOXX TO RETRIEVE YOUR BIRTHDAY BAND.**

 

Arrival

To ensure the safety and security of our school community, Whittier will operate with one designated entrance (3rd and Sheridan). Parents and caregivers may not proceed beyond the drop-off zone near Building 1. Staff members will be stationed outside each morning to assist families, particularly as parking may be limited. Students in Kindergarten to fifth grade will enter the bubble upon arrival, and ECE students should be dropped off directly to their classrooms.

  • Arrival time: 8:00–8:40 a.m. (3rd and Sheridan)

  • Drop-off location: Building 1 drop-off zone

  • Please follow staff directions and use the designated entrance.

  • School starts at 8:45am.

  • Students should not arrive before 8:00 AM because supervision is not available.

  • Students arriving after 9:00 AM should enter through the main gate.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to ensure a safe and smooth start to each school day.

 

Cell Phone and Personal Technology Policy

Whittier’s cell phone policy will remain in effect this school year. If families choose to send their child to school with a cell phone or other personal technology, the device will be collected upon arrival, consistent with the Family Handbook.

DCPS policy prohibits students from accessing cell phones or personal electronic communication devices during the bell-to-bell school day while on DCPS school grounds. This includes cell phones, smartwatches and other wearable devices, Bluetooth headphones, laptops, tablets, and similar personal electronic devices.

 

Dismissal

  • DC Public Schools is deeply committed to the safety and security of all students. Beginning in School Year 2026–2027, every student in Pre-K–5 must have a completed and signed Elementary Student Dismissal Authorization Form on file.

    • The form includes two sections:

      1. Authorization to Release — required for all students in Pre-K–Grade 5
         Caregivers must list the adults authorized to pick up their child during the school day or at dismissal.

      2. Permission to Self-Dismiss — required only when applicable for students in Grades K–5 
         This section allows caregivers to permit their child to self-dismiss. Only students in Grades K–5 are eligible to self-dismiss. DCPS recommends that students in Grades K–3 dismiss with an older, authorized student rather than alone.

    • Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students must be picked up by a parent, caregiver, or authorized adult and may not be released to another elementary-age child. Paper copies of the form are available in the main office.

  • When the teacher dismisses the students at the end of the school day at 3:15, they are to go directly home, to their designated transportation area, or their daycare provider.

  • If a child is not picked up promptly (10 minutes after dismissal) every effort will be made to contact the parent or the persons listed on the emergency card.

  • No supervision is provided for children after school unless they are in aftercare or participate in an extra-curricular activity.

  • If no contact is made within 30 minutes utilizing the emergency numbers, your child will be referred to Child and Family Services.

 

DCPS Bullying Prevention Policy

Whittier Elementary School is a community where it is imperative that all students and families feel welcomed and safe. We do not and will not tolerate bullying and ask that all of our students remember our mantra: if trouble finds you, find the nearest adult. We also ask that our students be upstanders by working with us to make adults aware of any bullying and help anyone who might need it.

If you have experienced or witnessed bullying, please contact Ms. O’Connell, our school counselor, at jessica.oconnell@k12.dc.gov.

Read the DCPS Bullying Prevention Policy and some parenting tips about cyberbullying.