CHANGES TO DISMISSAL PROCEDURES, effective September 3, 2019

John H. Cherry Elementary: Drop Off & Dismissal Procedures
CHANGES EFFECTIVE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD

8^th Street is two-way directly in front of the school during morning drop-off and one-way during afternoon dismissal.  9^th Street is also one-way during afternoon dismissal between Cottonwood and Sycamore.  Drivers must maintain awareness of their surroundings, and are expected to follow all traffic laws at all times during drop off and dismissal, including but not limited to the following:

●       Smoking is not permitted anywhere on campus property, including both driveways and parking lots.

●       Cell phone usage is not allowed while driving in a school zone.

●       Children must be properly restrained according to their height and weight.

●       All persons in a moving vehicle must wear their seat belt while the vehicle is in motion.

●       Please drive slowly and watch for children.

Morning Drop-Off:

Our campus doors open at 7:15 a.m.  In order to maintain student safety, students are not allowed to wait outside of the building without an adult before this time.  Drivers are to remain in the right-hand lane only, and leave the left lane open during drop-off.  All students are to be dropped off in the front of the school, and should exit their vehicles from the right side of the vehicle.  This way, our staff will see your student, and will then help them enter through the main doors.  For parents who walk their child up to the building, please note that you will not be allowed inside of the building at this time.  On rainy days, additional doors will be opened to allow quick entry.  Cherry staff will be monitoring students and helping them into the building from all along the front sidewalk.

Dismissal:

There are three options for student dismissal: bus riders, car riders, and walk-up pick-up.  Pre-Kindergarten car riders will dismiss from the back (north side) of the school, and Kindergarten will dismiss from the front (south side) of the school.  If you have students in both grade levels, they will dismiss with the Pre-Kindergarten student.  Parents must notify both teachers of this request.

Please be sure that your child’s teacher is aware of how your student is to go home.  Changes in transportation must be made in writing by sending a note with your student, emailing your student’s teacher, or by completing the “Change of Transportation” form in the office.  Changes will not be accepted over the phone in order to ensure student safety.  Changes will not be accepted past 1:45 p.m. in an attempt to reduce confusion and avoid mistakes.

Pre-Kindergarten:

Car Riders: At 3:15, the buses will load all bus riders (PK and K) from the back of the campus.  Once the buses have exited the driveway, parents may then enter the driveway for dismissal.  9^th Street will be one-way (eastbound) between Cottonwood and Sycamore.  As parents leave the loop, they will either turn north onto Sycamore if in the left lane, or if in the right lane, may go straight across on 9^th Street or turn south onto Sycamore.  Parents must keep the car-tag visible during dismissal for safety purposes, and to make dismissal run quickly and smoothly.  Please keep this tag visible until your student is in your vehicle.  Without a designated car-tag, you will have to park in front of the school and come inside to the main office with a photo ID in order to pick up your student.

Kindergarten:

Car Riders: 8^th Street will be one-way directly in front of the school between Cottonwood and Sycamore.  As parents leave the loop, they will either turn west onto 8^th Street (if in the right lane), or go straight across on Live Oak (if in the left lane).  Parents must keep the car-tag visible during dismissal for safety purposes, and to make dismissal run quickly and smoothly.  Please keep this tag visible until your student is in your vehicle.  Without a designated car-tag, you will have to park in front of the school and come inside to the main office with a photo ID in order to pick up your student.

Pre-K and Kindergarten:

Bus Riders: At 3:15, the buses will load all bus riders (PK and K) from the back of the campus.

Walk-Up Pick-Ups: Parents will wait outside of the back door to the gym, and must have their car-tag with them in order to pick up their student(s).  In order for your student to be a “Walk-Up Pick-Up,” you must submit this request in writing to the teacher or front office.

Special Circumstances:

Students requiring special transportation will be considered individually according to their needs.  Parents should meet with their student’s teacher and the campus principal to make appropriate arrangements.

Always remember that the safety of our students is our TOP PRIORITY.  This may mean that drop-off or dismissal takes more time than expected, especially during the first two to three weeks of school.  Please be patient, and respect those assisting our children in getting home safely.  By the fourth week of school, our goal is to be able to dismiss over 500 students safely in just 30 minutes.  Thank you for your understanding and assistance!