Arrival and Dismissal

ATTENDANCE AND PROMPT-ARRIVAL GUIDELINES

From previous newsletters and information shared at PTO meetings, you know that the Everitt staff is making a concerted effort to increase daily attendance and prompt arrival at school. The following information is based on Board Policy 552 and pertains to students in grades K-5:

Students in afternoon kindergarten must be in their rooms

Children are expected to be in their classrooms at 8:50 am.

by 12:30 pm.

Any student arriving after 8:50 am must be signed in at the

school office by a parent or guardian.

Students in the afternoon kindergarten arriving after 12:30 pm

must be signed in at the office.

All cases of early dismissal should be preceded by a note

from the parent stating the time, date and reason for dismissal.

A student who is released from school prior to 11:30 am will be

recorded as absent from school for one half day.

A student who leaves school prior to 10:10 am and does

not return will be considered full-day absent.

When a student arrives after 8:50 am but before 10:10 am,

they will be marked as tardy

A student arriving after 10:10 am will be marked as 1/2 day

absent.

A student who leaves before 12:35 pm is considered 1/2

absent.

A student whose early dismissal is after 12:35 pm but was

preceded by a note from the parent stating the time,

date, and reason for dismissal will each be considered on

an individual basis.

As always, if your child is sick (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, etc) we expect him/her to be kept home. A note of explanation must be sent to your child's teacher within three days of the day he/she returns to school. Teachers will provide make-up work that must be completed in a timely fashion. They will also make every effort to give your child any test that was missed during his/her absence.

If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact Dr. McKee at 215 943-1880 or cmckee@neshaminy.k12.pa.us.

DROPPING OFF CHILDREN BEFORE SCHOOL

The safety of all children should be of paramount importance to all adults. It is imperative for you to drive very slowly and carefully especially in rainy, snowy, or icy conditions.

For the safety of all children, these rules have been developed:

	The paring lot behind the school must be used in order to allow free access for the buses in the front of the school. It had been designed to be a one-way loop starting at the entrance and going to the right and passing parked cars to the back entrance of the school.
	Stop only long enough for your child to exit the car and close the door. We must avoid congestion that is created when parents remain in this area.
	Please do not try to pass another car in the lot. Be exceptionally patient as children disembark.
	Drive to the exit of the parking lot always being careful of children who may be walking or riding their bicycles to school.

IF YOU NEED TO COME TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE, park your car in a designated spot.

PICKING UP CHILDREN AFTER SCHOOL

The safety of all children should be of paramount importance to all adults. It is imperative for you to drive very slowly and carefully especially in rainy, snowy, or ice conditions.

For the safety of all children, these rules have been developed:

	If you are picking up your child at dismissal, please *do not arrive before 3:05 PM.*
	The parking lot behind the school must be used in order to allow free access for the buses in front of the school. It has been designed to be a one-way loop starting at the entrance and going to the right and passing parked cars to the back entrance of the school.
	If you want to wait for your child in the lobby, you may park your car in one of the two "driving" lanes by pulling up to the car in front of you and turning off your engine.
	As soon as you meet your child, please immediately return to your car to join other parents as they drive carefully from the parking lot.
	I you arrive a few minutes after 3:15, your child will wait at the rear entrance of the school until your car stops in that safe area. Please do not try to pass another car in the lot. Be exceptionally patient as children enter the cars in front of you.
	Drive to the exit of the parking lot always being careful of children who may be walking or riding their bicycles from school.

IF YOU NEED TO COME TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE, park your car in a designated spot.

If the children walk or are transported to school by their parents, they should not arrive before 8:40 AM, when adult supervision on the bus port begins. The school will open at 8:40 AM. All children who arrive between 8:45 and 8:50 may go directly to their classrooms. Any child arriving after 8:50 is tardy and must be bought to the school office by his/her parents to be signed in. Please park your car in a designated spot, and walk your child to the office to sign him/her in.

STUDENT HOURS

AM - Kindergarten: 8:40 AM* - 11:30 AM

PM - Kindergarten: 12:30 PM - 3:15 PM

Grades 1-5: 8:40 AM* - 3:15 PM

Doors open at 8:40 AM

*Students who arrive after 8:50 AM are tardy and parents must bring them to the office to be admitted.

EMERGENCY CONTACT CARDS

We must emphasize the importance of current and accurate information on the Emergency Contact Cards that you complete for each child. We use these cards to contact you in case your child becomes ill, injured or other reasons. On each card you will write the names and telephone numbers of adults whom we may contact if we are not able to contact you. These adults and you are the only people who will be permitted to pickup your child. Should it be necessary for another adult to do so, we must have your instructions in writing. That adult must report to the office and must show us picture identification. If the information such as telephone numbers change during the school year, please send us the new information in writing and we will adjust the card.

RELEASE OF AND ACCESS TO CHILDREN

The statements below apply to release of children and access to children in all situations including: custody cases, regular dismissal, early dismissal and emergency situations.

Copies of the most recent legal communication that pertains to the school setting regarding: custody, release of students and access to students must be presented to the school at registration, prior to the beginning of each school year and at the time that an access situation arises.

Any individual, to whom children may be dismissed, must be identified on the Emergency Information Card. Please write additional names and phone numbers on the reverse side of the card if necessary. Keep in mind that the card is printed on self duplicating paper and that you will have to write the information on the back of both sheets.

In order for a child to be released to anyone who is not on the emergency card, a note concerning the specific release must be presented prior to or at the time of the release.

In the event that a note is not provided, and the parent or guardian calls to request that a child be released to someone who is not on the emergency card, verification of the caller's identity must be made by the principal or designee before releasing the child.

A child will be released to a parent or guardian in the absence of any documentation restricting the child's release.

The most recent court order or legal documentation permitting or restricting release of a child will be followed. A Bucks County Court Order supersedes any other legal documentation, regardless of date of issue.

A letter or note from a parent or guardian which is not issued from a court but which attests to a court restriction on release of a child or requests a restriction will be accepted - but only as a stop-gap measure. However, presentation of such a letter warrants contact of the parent or guardian who sent the letter, before any release takes place.