Calendar and Schedule 

Ivymount is an 11-month school. The new school year begins in early July, with a short summer break in August, then resumes from late August to mid-June. 

Regular school hours are 8:45 am to 3:15 pm except Wednesday. School is dismissed at 12:45 pm every Wednesday to allow for planning, professional in-services and parent conferences.

Student Calendar and Schedule

Inclement Weather Policy

Ivymount School follows the Inclement Weather Policy of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), including for school closure, late opening, and early release. For a late opening on a Wednesday, Ivymount School will have a full day program and dismiss students at 3:15 pm. 

Staying Healthy at School  

Ivymount is committed to maintaining an optimal environment for the health, safety and education of all individuals on our campus. We follow the CDC’s updated Respiratory Virus Guidance for use in schools and childcare programs, which is endorsed by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

• If your student is experiencing respiratory symptoms (can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache) that are not explained by another cause, stay home and away from others.
• Contact Ivymount to let us know your student is ill and will be absent.
  • Parents should email your student’s Teacher, Program Coordinator and attendance@ivymount.org.
  • Staff should contact your supervisor(s) as directed.
    • Please note: the studentcovidreport@ivymount.org and staffcovidreport@ivymount.org email addresses are no longer active.
• You can return to school/work and normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). 
• When back to normal activities (including school/work), take added precaution over the next 5 days, by wearing a mask around others and physically distancing to the extent possible.
• If you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precautions for the next 5 days. 

Reporting Student Absences 

Parents/guardians are required to report an absence to the school in the morning if your child will not attend school that day.  To facilitate this reporting, Ivymount School has established an email for attendance.  You may report an absence by email to: attendance@ivymount.org or by calling the front office at: 301-469-0223. If the main office is closed, you may leave a voicemail message.  Please leave your name, your child’s name, his/her teacher’s name and room number and reason for absence.
 

Handbook and Forms 

Ivymount School uses Operoo for easy completion and storage of annual school forms and information such as the Family Handbook, student calendar, and local education agency transportation contacts.  

All families receive an initial email from Operoo to activate an account and then receive an email notification when there is a new form to complete.  

Contact info@ivymount.org with any Operoo questions. 

School Communication 

The IvyNotes weekly newsletter is emailed to families each Sunday at 7:00 pm. IvyNotes includes school-wide updates, upcoming event information, class/curriculum highlights, PTA, and Outreach information to help you stay informed. Check the Calendar and Events page to see recent issues.

Emergency Communications CrisisGo  

CrisisGo is Ivymount’s emergency communication system. Ivymount staff and families will receive notifications through text messages and emails during emergency situations and regarding inclement weather schedule changes. Families are automatically enrolled using the telephone number and email address(es) they have provided.  

Family and Teacher Association (PTA)

The Ivymount School PTA is a community of families and staff that supports the needs of Ivymount’s exceptional students and their families. The PTA encourages collaboration between families/caregivers and teachers, fosters relationships among families, and provides social opportunities that meet the specific needs of this unique community. 

Enroll in the Ivymount PTA Listserv in order to remain in communication with Ivymount present and past families. Listserv members share resources, events, questions and input from other families. To request an invitation to the listserv, email PTA President Cindy Gottfried. ckgottfried@gmail.com 

Ivymount Outreach and Endeavors Programs 

Ivymount Community Outreach offers group educational and recreational programs after school and on weekends. Endeavors Outreach Programs offers individual therapy, including speech therapy, occupational therapy and applied behavior analysis services. All programs and therapies are led by highly trained Ivymount staff. Funding is available for some Outreach programs. 

The Ivymount Outreach Resource Fair is held each spring and showcases dozens of exhibitors from around the DC region that provide services and resources to children and young adults with unique needs. Ivymount trained staff also provide informative parent workshops on topics such as transition services, interactive reading, and supporting your child’s communication. The Outreach Resource Guide is available online year-round with information on dozens of diverse organizations that provide specialized services.

Best Buddies Friendship Program 

The Best Buddies High School Friendship Program fosters one-to-one friendships between high school students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). For over 20 years, Ivymount has partnered with two private high school Best Buddies Chapters: Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and the Georgetown Preparatory School. Monthly Best Buddies activities are conducted outside of regular school hours. To register annually, please complete the information at Best Buddies registration (select either Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart OR Georgetown Preparatory School when selecting your chapter) and notify Ivymount’s Special Education Advisor, Carley Sturges at csturges@ivymount.org.  

Parent Resources from MANSEF

Click here for resources on Individual Educational Plans, Free and Appropriate Education, and Transition and more.