Arrival & Dismissal Policies 

Arrival & Dismissal Times, Grades Kindergarten - Five: 

  • Arrival Time - First Bell: 8:35 am
  • Arrival Time - Second Bell: 8:39 am
  • Dismissal Time: 3:10 pm

 
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

Four doors will be open for student arrival: the Auditorium Door, the Main Hall Door (by the front of the building), the Back Entrance Door (by the Gym) and the Kindergarten Door (for Kindergarten students only).  Staff members will greet students at each door.

Front Circle Drop-Off (Independent Exit From Vehicle Only)

  • Requirement: Only use the Front Circle if your child can independently exit the passenger side of the vehicle. Drivers must stay inside the vehicle at all times.
  • Pull as far forward as possible in the right lane before letting your child exit to help keep the line moving. Use the outer left lane only to pass slowly and exit the circle.

Back Circle Drop-Off (Assistance from Vehicle Exit)

  • Requirement: Use the Back Circle if your child needs help exiting the vehicle (e.g., if the driver must step out).
  • Drive to the rear entrance of the school. Drivers may exit the vehicle briefly to assist their child, but cars must not be left unattended.

If your child requires assistance exiting your car (i.e., if the driver must get out), please select one of the following options:

  • Park legally in the front designated lot and walk your child up or let your child walk up alone.
  • Please head to the Back Circle entrance located behind the school for drop-off. Drivers are welcome to exit their vehicles to assist students, but please do not park or leave cars unattended. 

Arrival for Walkers 

  • Kindergarten Walkers - Parents can walk students to the Kindergarten Door or the Rear Door, meaning that parents should park legally in an available parking spot and walk children. No Kindergarten cars may stop/park in the Front Circle. 
  • Grades K - 5 Walkers - Students may enter the building using the following doors:
    • Kindergarten Door - Kindergarten students
    • Main Hall Door - First and Second Grade students
    • Auditorium Door - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students
    • Back Entrance Door (Near the Gym) - All students

Late Arrival

Students who arrive late to school should enter through our Front Main Door. The Safety Monitor will greet them, and they can then proceed to their classrooms.


DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

We will continue using School Dismissal Manager (SDM) to track student dismissals, absences, and schedule changes.  Please read the email sent on 8/26 from "Heathcote Elementary" with instructions on how to log in and set your dismissal options.

 

Kindergarten Dismissal

  • Walkers - At dismissal, walking Kindergarten students can be picked up by an adult at the Kindergarten Door. 
  • Drivers - Kindergarten students should be picked up via the Back Circle.

Grades 1 - 2 

  • Walkers - Students can be picked up at the Main Hall Door.
  • Drivers - Students should be picked up via the Back Circle. 

Grades 3-5

  • Walkers - Students will exit using either the Auditorium or Back door near the Gym. They can be picked up at these locations. 
  • Students in Grades 3–5 may walk home alone only if a permission slip is on file. Parents will receive this form in a separate email from Ms. Rydzyk; please complete and submit it before your child begins walking home.
  • Drivers - Students should be picked up via the Front Circle. Cars should pull up as far as possible. Students should be able to enter the car independently.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES: SIBLINGS IN YOUNGER AND OLDER GRADES

  • Walkers - If you are picking up or dropping off multiple children, upper-grade students (Grades 3-5) must walk to the designated pick-up area/drop-off location of their younger sibling.
  • Drivers - If you are picking up children with siblings in Kindergarten through Grade Two, please use the Back Circle. 

Important Items to Remember

  • Always have a sign with your family name displayed in your car window.

  • Students must enter and exit from the passenger side of the car.

  • To ensure your safety, please do not exit from your car in the Front Circle.

  • The Front Circle is a fire lane that must be kept clear for emergencies at all times. No one is permitted to wait there. During arrival, please drop off your student(s) and continue to move your vehicle. 

  • Please wait at the stop sign in the Front Circle at dismissal until you are signaled to move forward.