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Dear Parents and Guardians,

From time to time, we need to review safety procedures and practices while in school. The following points are regarding dismissal, absences and pickups:

• Please remember that the instructional day does not end until approximately 3:20 p.m. Please refrain from picking up your child between 3-3:20 p.m. This is an exceptionally critical time of the school day. When your child is picked up early, he/she is missing instructional time, class meetings and directions for homework. When a child leaves the classroom, two other children must escort them to the nurse’s office and they also miss instructional time. We are looking for your assistance with this issue.

For safety reasons, we are working to eliminate congestion in our halls, Health Office and parking lot traffic and the number of adults through our doorways at dismissal. Please pick up your child after the buses leave at approximately 3:25 p.m. in the conference room by entering the loop area near the small playground.
 

• Children cannot be called down before 3 p.m. as they are often in a “special area” class and they cannot go to their classrooms without their teachers. Again, pick-up after the buses would help us ensure their safety. If you must pick up your child, please be sure to send in a note to the teacher or Mrs. Clark in the attendance office informing her of dismissal plans. Please do not call after 2:15 p.m. to say that you are picking up your child. We cannot accommodate pick-up requests after 2:15 p.m.
   
• For the safety of your children, all emergency pick ups prior to 3 p.m. will occur in the health/attendance office. From 3-3:20 p.m., pick ups will occur in the conference room. Sign out and photo identification will be necessary.
   
• Pick up after dismissal requires a note and may be accomplished at the loop at approximately 3:25 p.m. Sign-out and identification will be required. Pick-up is supervised by school personnel. Remember that we must be notified of who will be picking up your child, other than the parent or legal guardian. Students will not be released to any minors.
   
• If you wish to pick up your child everyday rather than utilizing the transportation system, one "permanent" note will suffice. Pick-up time will be at approximately 3:25 p.m. (after the buses leave the area).
   
• While emergency situations occur, many students are missing valuable instructional time when they leave for dentist or doctor appointments. Whenever possible, please schedule appointments after school to maximize your child’s learning time.
   
• Please be sure to notify the Health Office of any absences, illnesses, vacation, etc. Although you may have notified the teacher, you must notify the Health Office at 615-6616. We have 24-hour voice mail. Your call will eliminate unnecessary calls to you.

Please remember that we are striving to ensure the safety of your child. Waiting a few minutes for the buses to leave for pick up helps us to keep our school a much safer place.

Your help is greatly appreciated as we work together to ensure our students safety and success.

Yours truly,
Daria Murphy, Principal & Melissa Lawson, Assistant Principal