We are thrilled to be able to welcome back all 950+ Alma del Mar scholars for in person learning on August 26th! A lot has changed since last school year, and we hope you all will take the time to read through the information shared and linked below to help everyone have a smooth and exciting return to school next week.
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2021-2022 Calendar & New School Day Hours
2020-2021 School Year Calendar (updated July 2021)
Download to print, Visit the Calendar page
Thursday, Aug. 26 is the first day of school. Please note that Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 will be half days of school to allow for staff professional development time in the afternoons. Dismissal will occur at 12:30 pm on all half days.
New School Day Hours (updated summer 2021)
Alma will now operate on an 8:30 am – 3:30 pm schedule for all of our sites, Monday through Friday, for the upcoming school year. This change was made after thoughtful consideration and based on input from all of you as well as our staff.
School doors will be open for scholar arrival from 8:20-8:30 am. Scholars who take a bus to school and arrive after 8:30 am will still be allowed time to eat breakfast and get settled in, and will not be marked tardy.
Covid-19 Related Policies
COVID-19 related policies (updated August 2021)
Symptom Screening tool (English download)
Detección de síntomas de COVID-19 (Descarga en español)
Due to the recent upward trend in COVID-19 cases in our city, and based upon guidance from the CDC and local health officials, Alma will continue to require face masks indoors for all scholars and staff this fall, regardless of vaccination status. This policy is in line with other school districts across the region and state, including New Bedford Public Schools.
School Uniform Policy
Scholar Uniform Policy (updated summer 2021)
During this past spring, working groups of parents and staff met to discuss a proposal to broaden our current scholar uniform options. Changes were proposed in an attempt to better support the needs of all scholars and families as well as to allow more opportunity for equity, self expression, and comfort for our scholars. After much consideration, the following changes have been made to the scholar uniform for the 2021-2022 academic school year.
Read about the updated uniform policy here.
If you require embroidery service for an Alma uniform top, Superior Logo will embroider items that are brought in for $4 and it takes about 4 days.
An alternative for embroidery services is Alma parent, Mayra Carranza! You may call her at 508-863-3766 to arrange for embroidery, which will take about 3 days with Mayra and the cost is $5 per shirt.
Free Afterschool Programming (more information to follow)
Beginning Monday, September 13, Alma will offer a free afterschool program for scholars in grades K-8 from 3:30-4:45 pm on Monday through Thursday. Sign-up forms will be posted online and sent home with scholars in the coming weeks.
Alma del Mar Campus & Drop off/Pickup Information – All Locations
Frederick Douglass Elementary
Kindergarten – 4th Grade (Immaculate Conception school building)
145 Davis St., New Bedford MA 02746
Drop off/Pick up occurs at the Davis Street entrance, which is located in a residential area and has limited parking. We request kind consideration and patience from all to ensure a smooth drop off and pick up. Please do not block driveways or stop in the middle of the street to drop off your child.
Frederick Douglass Middle School
Grade 6-7 (Fisher College Campus building)
777 Church St., New Bedford, MA 02745
Link to Drop off/Pick up procedures
Frederick Douglass Middle School
Grade 8 (Christian Fellowship Center space)
822 Church St., New Bedford, MA 02745
Link to drop off/pick up procedures
Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus & Main Office
515 Belleville Ave., New Bedford, MA 02746
Scholars may only be dropped off and/or picked up at the front entrance, on Belleville Avenue. Please do not stop in the middle of the road or otherwise block traffic/pedestrians from safely crossing the street.