School Visitation and Conferences Visitation 

Here at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary, we welcome all visitors to participate in their children’s educational experiences. However, to ensure the safety of all children and staff, it is imperative that all visitors (including parents, guardians, and caregivers) report to the office to identify themselves with a valid state picture ID and share the purpose for visiting before going further into the building.  

All visitors must obtain a “visitor” identification sticker and be signed into the visitor system located in the school office. Visitors not bearing the proper “visitor” badge will be stopped and asked to return to the main office. This also applies to those wishing to eat lunch with their student(s). 

MCPS School Visitors: Key Points 

• Visitors to any Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) school site during the designated student day are required to sign in and out of the building using the Visitor Management System, or as otherwise directed, secure consent upon arrival and prior to initiating any school-related business, and to wear a visitor identification name tag at all times. 

• Permission to visit the school may be rescinded if the visitor does not comply with the stated purpose of the visit or violates any policy or regulation. 

• Classroom visits and/or conferences by parents/guardians must be arranged IN ADVANCE. If the front office is not notified by the teacher or staff member of your visit ahead of time, you will not be allowed to visit the classroom/classroom activity. This is to ensure staff safety and to minimize disruptions to classroom instruction. 

• Classroom visits should not last longer than 30 minutes. 

• Classroom visits and conferences must be conducted in such a manner that the visits and/or conferences do not interfere with the classroom activities of any student in the class. 

• No pictures or videos should be taken without prior consent to support student confidentiality rights. 

Volunteers 

The academic achievement and educational experiences of all students are enhanced by a community invested in their learning. Volunteers who become active in the student learning process help us to meet the needs of our students more effectively, provide them with additional role models, and enrich the educational experience of our students. Volunteers may include parents/guardians and other family members, as well as other members of the community interested in the education of children, who are willing to donate their time and energies to support the students at our school. We appreciate all that our volunteers do to support our students and staff at Drew. 

All volunteers who regularly support schools and school sponsored activities, volunteers who regularly help with school dismissal, lunch or recess; as well as those who attend and chaperone field trips must complete the MCPS Online Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect volunteer training. All other volunteers are encouraged, but not required, to engage in this important, informative training. Online child abuse and neglect training for volunteers is provided on the MCPS website in English and in the languages most requested by MCPS students and parents/guardians. Any parents requiring additional support or access to this training can reach out to our Community School Liaison, Ms. Shameca Green, at Shameca_L_Green@mcpsmd.org to arrange a time for completion. 

If it will be your first time volunteering at Drew after completing or renewing your training, please call the front office prior to coming to ensure that MCPS has confirmed completion of your training. You can also send an email to our attendance secretary, Ms. Francisca Cruz, at Francisca_F_Cruz@mcpsmd.org to confirm clearance prior to coming to the school to prevent any delay upon arrival. 

Volunteers must also abide by the school visitor procedures mentioned above. Please note that decisions regarding the selection, placement, and replacement of volunteers are at the discretion of the principal. Permission to volunteer may be rescinded at any time if policies and procedures are not followed. Our priority, first and foremost, is the safety and well-being of our students and staff here at Drew. 

To inquire about potential visitation and volunteer opportunities, reach out to your child’s teacher, call the front office, or email the PTSA Volunteer Chair at drewptsavolunteer@gmail.com.