Frequently Asked Questions – Hammond Elementary
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about our school policies and procedures. Answers to
these questions can also be found in our Parent Handbook given to each Hammond family.
Important Phone Numbers & Address
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School Phone
School Fax
Bus Transportation
Cafeteria
Clinic
Guidance Counselor
Media Center
Registration/Data Processor
HOST After School Program
Absentee Line
School Address
(813) 792-5120
(813) 792-5124
(813) 631-4052
(813) 792-5120, ext. 227, Cafeteria Manager
(813) 792-5120, ext. 244
(813) 792-5120, ext. 225
(813) 792-5120, ext. 228
(813) 792-5120, ext. 229
(813) 792-5120, ext. 246
(813) 792-5120, ext. 400 or press "1"
8008 N. Mobley Road, Odessa, FL 33556
Visitor/Volunteer Access
All volunteers and visitors must sign in (with a valid picture ID) and out at the office and be
cleared via the Safenet computer system to be on campus. Volunteers must complete a
Volunteer Application form each year and submit to a background check. A Hammond name tag
must be worn and easily visible while on campus.
How long is the school day?
School day for Kindergarten through 5th Grade:
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Monday
Tuesday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Classes and instruction begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students who report to the classroom after 8:00
a.m. are tardy. If your child is tardy, you will need to park; sign in with your Driver’s License and walk
your child to class. The latest sign out of the day for students on Monday is 12:45 p.m. and Tuesday –
Friday is 1:30 p.m.
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How early can my child be on campus?
Children may not arrive at school before 7:30 a.m. HOST child care is provided for early drop off from
6:30 - 7:30 a.m. and after school from 2:15 - 6:00 p.m.
How do I report my child's absence?
Call 792-5120 and press 1 to report your child's absence. This phone line has a 24-hour access
recorder.
What time does the Morning Show begin?
HOWL, Hammond's morning show begins promptly at 7:50 a.m. and is broadcasted in all classrooms.
Where can I park?
There is limited parking in the front of the school. There is NO parking in or around the Hammond
parking lots or on the side of the school building during arrival and dismissal. All parking is at Walker
Middle School during arrival and dismissal. The back parking lot is for Hammond Faculty and Staff
ONLY. Thank you for your cooperation.
I need to change how my student is going home? Can I do this over the phone?
Your child's safety is our utmost concern. Changes in the way children normally go home are restricted
to school sponsored activities or family emergencies. Social reasons for changes in transportation will
not be accommodated.
No, changes to dismissal may not be taken over the phone, email, or text.
Please adhere to the following procedure:
A note signed by the parent MUST be sent to the teacher the morning of the requested change.
Students will NOT be released to individuals unless their name appears on the child's emergency card.
Can I eat lunch with my child?
As long as space permits, parents may sit at the designated outside picnic tables with your own child to
eat breakfast or lunch. No other students may join you. . Parents eating lunch with their child MUST
sign in and out of the office and may not visit classrooms or other areas of the school before or after
lunch.
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How can I get involved or volunteer?
We love our Hammond volunteers! We have a hard working Parent Teacher Association (PTA) with
many plans to benefit our students. Please join and participate. The PTA Volunteer coordinator will be
glad to help you sign up in your area of choice, classroom, media center etc.
Volunteers must complete an online Volunteer Application form each year and submit to a background
check. A Hammond name tag must be worn and be easily visible while on campus. Policy prohibits
volunteers and visitors from bringing preschoolers to school while they are visiting or involved in
volunteer activities. This includes helping with parties and craft activities in classrooms as well as
working in the Media Center.
However, parents may choose to bring preschoolers when visiting the campus (not volunteering) for
certain planned activities such as family dinners, student performances, Open House, etc. We do
expect small children to remain with their parents during such visits and be under their careful
supervision at all times.
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