Arrival and Dismissal
SCHOOL ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
Breakfast is served from 7:30 -7:50 AM. Make sure your child is at school in time for breakfast. Cafeteria breakfast closes at 7:50 AM. Classroom instruction begins at 7:55 AM. Students will be marked tardy if they are not in the building by this time. Instruction begins at 7:55 a.m. Please have your child at school by 7:40 so that they can eat breakfast and are ready to begin class at the 7:55 instruction bell. Doors close at 7:55 a.m. and walking in at the bell means they will be marked tardy. Students should be in the classroom for the 7:55 a.m. bell.
BUS RIDERS
When arriving to school in the morning, bus riders will be unloaded under the bus apron and enter the main bus entrance. Students are assigned bus numbers from their home addresses. A change in bus is a liability issue. It is not permissible for a parent to request that a student ride a different bus unless this agreement has been arranged and documents signed with the bus driver, principal/assistant principal, and parents prior to the request.
These guidelines are provided to promote safer and more efficient transportation for students.
Students should:
Be on time at a designated stop. Time of stop can vary 10 minutes before published time and or 10 minutes after published time.
Obey the driver and the bus patrol promptly and cheerfully. Help to keep the bus clean and sanitary. Anyone purposely damaging, cutting, or breaking school property will be disciplined and will be required to pay damages before returning to school.
Avoid causing trouble by teasing, threatening, cursing at, pulling hair, scuffling, or using unfit language. These are causes for suspension from riding the bus and/or a major referral will be issued.
Keep arms and head inside the bus windows at all times. Nothing is to be thrown out of windows.
Not move around or change seats while the bus is in motion. Seating may be assigned by the bus driver.
Refrain from using foul language.
Avoid loud talking, but conversation in normal tones is permissible.
Obtain permission from the driver before opening windows when it is cold or raining.
Not expect special privileges.
Not block the middle aisle.
Not ride another bus or be discharged at a different stop without permission from the School Board Office and bus driver.
Only those sized band instruments, which are on the approved list, may be carried on the bus.
NOTE: Any violation of any of the above rules and regulations may be reason for disciplinary action, suspension, or expulsion.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE BUS:
1. Alcohol, drugs, animal pets, glass objects (except eyeglasses), weapons (including knives), and objects that are too large to be held in a student’s lap or placed under a seat. 2. Large band instrument cases: marching trombone, flugel horn, marching baritone (in gig bag), euphonium (in gig bag), bell kit, snare kit (high school square case type). 3. Tobacco, matches, cigarette lighters, obscene material.
CAR RIDERS
Car riders will be unloaded or picked up in the front of the school and must enter through the front entrance near the office. There can be NO car rider drop offs at the bus entrance. Students cannot be dropped off before the 7:30 AM bell. There will be Raintree staff on duty to oversee the students as they exit or enter the vehicles. Students must follow directions of all staff members.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Parents should give students written instructions for after school plans before students leave to come to school. We cannot trust elementary students to tell us if their means of getting home has changed. Therefore, parents must send a written note for any changes in how a student gets home. Students will need to give their teachers the notes in the morning. With nearly 400 students, we cannot give daily messages. Every message takes away from instructional time. If an emergency happens and plans need to change during the day, please notify the office in writing or in person well before 2:30. Messages cannot be delivered after 2:30.
Keep the same dismissal plan daily – remember that the teacher cannot escort every child at dismissal. All classes have car riders and bus riders. A duty teacher will supervise your child, so it is important that they go home the same way each day. Example: If they are a bus rider and a grandparent needs to get the child after school one day, ask them to meet the bus at their home drop off area instead of switching your child’s dismissal plan to a car rider. Thanks for your assistance in making dismissal smoother by planning ahead.
Students are NOT allowed to check out from the office after 2:40 PM and especially not while dismissal is underway. All students will be in their normal dismissal locations for buses and cars. With about 400 students, it is important for dismissal to run smoothly. If for some reason your child is needed during this time, call the office prior to 2:30 so that our secretaries are informed.
EMERENCY DISMISSAL If an emergency causes an early dismissal, the school will send a JText and/or a JCall that includes instructions for dismissal procedures. Please be flexible and cooperative to ensure a smooth dismissal when necessary.
Parking/Traffic Parking is prohibited in the fire zone, no parking zones, and in front of the canopy area. These areas must be clear at all times. Make sure to park in the designated visitor parking or empty unreserved parking spots in the parking lot. Follow all “One Way” signs to avoid any traffic congestion. The bus driveway is for buses only during the school day. Avoid this area!