Pine GroveSchool

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

Students may be dropped off and begin entering the school at 8:35 AM Monday through Friday on normal school days. The school day begins at 8:50 AM.

Teachers begin supervising classrooms at 8:35 A.M. Therefore, students should not be dropped off at school before 8:35 A.M.

PARENT DROP OFF

Parents are asked to not park at the front of the school. Children may be dropped off in the designated parent drop off location which is marked with signs in the front of the school. There are often many parent drop offs and we ask that children are ready to exit the vehicle and parents move along safely when it is their turn in the drop off line. To facilitate a safe and efficient drop off, we ask that children exit only on the driver side of the vehicle. We also ask that children exit their parent's vehicle at all locations within the parent drop off zone and parents do not wait to pull up closer to the school to drop their children off. This slows the process down tremendously. If you want to escort your child to the door, or if you need to enter the building, park in the lot at the front of the building.

DELAYED SCHOOL OPENINGS

There may be occasions during the school year when, because of inclement weather, it will be necessary to delay the opening of school by 2 hours. In that event, children may be dropped off beginning at 10:35 and the school day will officially begin at 10:50.

SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS

In the event school is closed because of bad weather or another emergency, announcements will be made. Information regarding school cancellation will be delivered automatically to parents through our automated messaging service. This service relied on the accuracy of the information provided by the parent at the time of their child's enrollment. This information can be updated. For assistance, contact the school's secretary who can assist you with this process. School closing information is also shared through local radio, television, or by accessing the school's website. Please do not call the radio stations, police, schools or the superintendent.

DISMISSAL (THE SCHOOL DAY ENDS AT 3:25)

Please do not ask to have your child dismissed early from class unless it is absolutely necessary. The end of the school can be particularly hectic as children and teachers are organizing and preparing for dismissal. From approximately 3:00 until 3:25 is a very busy time. Students leaving at that time interrupt the orderly dismissal of all students and can interfere with the teachers' last minute instructions. It can also mean children do not get valuable information at the conclusion of the school day.

If a parent arrives at school after 3:00 they will be asked to enter their child(rens) name(s) to the parent pick up list. The child(ren) will be NOT be called down until 3:25 PM at which time they will be part of the normal end of the day dismissal process.

If your child must be dismissed early for an important appointment which cannot be scheduled during vacation or later in the day, please send a note to the teacher with your child rather than having the office interrupt the class with a phone call. It may be necessary on occasion to have your child leave for a doctor's visit; however activities such as sports, music instruction, and other extra-curricular programs should be scheduled so that your child does not have to leave school early. We want to communicate to our children the importance of school. Leaving school early for extra-curricular activities communicates to them that these activities are more important than school.

Thank you for your help in making the dismissal of all children at the end of the day smooth and orderly.

PARENT PICKUP

All students will need to be signed out by a parent or legal guardian to be picked up and dismissed from Pine Grove School. Parents will be checked in beginning shortly after 3:00 each day and will wait in the designated parent pick up location in the school until they are united with their child. Parents and students should exit the building at this time to assist with an orderly dismissal. If necessary, a valid form of identification may be required to gain permission to the school's parent pick up location and/or to dismiss a child. The school reserves the right to ask for identification at any time.

Anyone picking up students at dismissal time (3:25 P.M.) should not park in the bus lanes or the student drop off area at the front of the school. Parking areas should be used when picking up a child at dismissal time. Parents should be aware that student safety is hindered when cars are blocking the normal bus lanes. If a student's after school or dismissal plans depart from the routine, e.g. if a student is to be picked up by a parent or if a student will be going to a friend's house to visit, a note should be sent to the teacher so that the school is aware of all such plans. All such plans will be made at home before the children arrive at school. Children being picked up will be dismissed to the gym.

EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS

Several afternoons during the school year have been set aside for conferences and professional development. The school calendar lists predetermined early dismissal days. Please take advantage of these days to schedule doctor and dental appointments or other commitments which might otherwise take your child out of school.

EMERGENCY DISMISSAL DAYS

Late-forming storms could require early dismissal for all schools. Other unforeseen circumstances could cause one or more schools to be dismissed early. In the event school will be closing early because of bad weather or another emergency, announcements will be made. Information regarding school cancellation will be delivered automatically to parents through our automated messaging service. (See above) Emergency school closing information is also shared through local radio, television, or by accessing the school's website. At the start of each school year, parents are asked to complete a form regarding emergency school closings. This form will be utilized by the school's staff in the event of an emergency closing. The form indicates the emergency dismissal procedure for your child. Please review the form each fall when school opens and ensure its return to our office. The school will not deviate from this plan unless written permission is given from the parent.

BUSES ARRIVING HOME LATE

During the first weeks of school, it takes time for bus routes to settle into a routine and for the buses to run according to a regular, predictable schedule. Occasionally during the school year a bus may be delayed due to traffic conditions, construction or other unforeseen circumstance. If your child's bus does not arrive home when expected at the end of day within a reasonable time you may call the school. If there is no answer in the school office, you may call the bus company at (860) 470-7200 to check on the bus.