Friday, August 26, 2011

First day of school September 6, 2011

New  for the  2011-2012 school year:
School Hours:  9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Breakfast will be offered for all students for $1.10
Lunch price will be $2.35
School Fees will be $50.00 per student

Please read the important transportation information below: 

August 2011


Dear West Clermont Parents,

As you know, safety of your children is our primary concern.  With the loss of transportation for many, the safety of students during arrival and dismissal becomes an issue for everyone driving as well as staff.  The information in this letter is intended to explain the new process to be used by WC elementary schools.   It is important that you read and understand the procedures specific to your child’s school.
Each day, students will be dismissed in the following order:  Bike riders and walkers, car riders with required tags (see below), bus riders, and all others.

Bike riders:  Students will be permitted to ride bikes to school, however parents are reminded that there will be increased traffic which will create a greater safety concern for children on bikes.  Students may park bikes in the designated area and are encouraged to bring a lock as the school is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Bike riders will be dismissed first and must wear a helmet at all times on their bike while on school grounds. Bike riders must have parent permission on file in the office.

Walkers:  West Clermont neighborhoods have some sidewalks; however, not all areas have them.  Although it is permissible for students to walk to school, parents are encouraged to walk with their children to ensure safety since there will be increased car traffic bringing children to school.  Walkers will be dismissed first along with bike riders. Walkers must have parent permission on file in the office.

Car Riders:  All families will receive a Family Tag package that includes two rearview mirror tags and the appropriate number of backpack tags.  At the appropriate time in the morning, staff will assist students in exiting cars.  For dismissal as cars enter the lot, students will be released to the pick up zone.  Car tags and backpack tags will be matched by staff.  Those who pick up students and do not have a car tag OR backpack tag, must park and sign out children in the office.  Lost tags will be replaced at the cost to the parent.  Each elementary will have a procedure for arrival and dismissal available in the school office and on the website.

Bus Riders:   Only students who reside in the area determined to be 2 or more miles from school will be riding buses.  Buses will pick up and drop off students at their assigned bus stop.  Buses will not stop at day care centers or sitters’ houses.  If your child is a bus rider but will need to be picked up at school on a specific day, a note must be given to the teacher prior to noon that day.

Each school has developed a plan.  The plan will be shared with parents prior to the opening of school.

Respectfully,

West Clermont Elementary Principals

Willowville Elementary Arrival/Dismissal Plan 2011-2012

Arrival            8:45 am – 9:00 am

  1. Cars will only be permitted to enter the northeast entrance by McGuffey Lakes.
  2. With no Willowville students being transported by bus, we will use three lanes for drop off with staff supervision.
  3. There will be two zones so staff can adequately monitor students.
  4. The drop-off window will be 15 minutes (8:45 am – 9:00 am).  Students will not be permitted to exit the car without the assistance of a staff member. Students must wait for a staff member to motion them to the sidewalk.  DO NOT EXIT THE CAR UNTIL YOU ARE IN A DROP OFF ZONE. Please remind students about safety, looking both ways, and watching the staff monitor.
  5. Once your child (ren) are out of the car, the staff monitor will motion the driver to pull forward.  To exit the lot, you must turn right onto Schoolhouse Road.  No cars will be permitted to turn left onto Schoolhouse Road during the arrival and dismissal window.
  6. Students will enter the building only from the front with the exception of bike riders who will enter the door behind the gym.  Students will go directly to their classroom or the cafeteria where breakfast will be offered. 
  7. Never park in the drop off/pick up zone and leave your car unattended to bring your child into the building.  Please park in a marked parking space and enter the front of the building.
  8. It is very important that ALL drivers pay attention to the staff members on duty and pull forward or stop when asked.  Stopping early by individual cars will prevent this process from working for all families. 
  9. When cars exit the lot, they must turn right on Schoolhouse Road in order to create a continuous flow for our traffic pattern
  10. Bike riders must park bikes in the designated area by the fourth grade wing and enter the west entrance by the back of the gymnasium.  Bike riders must wear a helmet at all times when on their bicycle.
  11. Walkers must enter the front of the building between 8:45 am and 9:00 am and report to their classroom or the cafeteria where breakfast will be offered.



Dismissal      3:00 pm

Family Car Tags MUST be displayed on the rearview mirror!

Order of dismissal:  Each day, students will be dismissed in the following order:  Bike riders and walkers, car riders with required tags, bus riders, and all others.

FIRST:  Students who walk and ride bikes will be dismissed first by the PA system.  Third through fifth grade students who have younger siblings will be asked walk to their brother or sister’s classroom.  Parents meeting their children to walk home may wait in the lobby or outside one of the exit doors.  Walkers and bike riders must exit the area immediately so car riders can be called.  Students will have approximately 3 minutes to exit the building before I begin calling for car riders.

SECOND:  Students who are picked up in cars will be dismissed next.  They will be called in the order which they arrive in the pick up zone by their family tag number.  Family Tags must be displayed on the rearview mirror in order to pick up your child.  If you do not have your Family Tag, please park in a marked space and come into the office to sign out your child.  Students must be ready to exit the building when their family number is called.  Staff members will assist students in the pick up zone.  Once all cars are loaded in the pick up zone, a staff member will motion for the cars to safely exit the lot using a right turn only onto Schoolhouse.  The next set of cars will pull safely forward to the pick up zone.

THIRD:  Students riding buses if applicable.

Car Rider Pick Up
  1. Family Tags MUST be picked up prior to the start of school.  They will be available for pick up on August 11th (7:30 am – 9:00 am or 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm).  Additional details will be provided during Open House on September 1st (K – 2 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 3 – 5 from 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm).  All families will receive a Family Tag number package that includes two rearview mirror tags.  Backpack tags will NOT be distributed prior to the start of school.  Backpack tags will be placed on your child’s book bag by the teacher the first day of school. 
  2. As cars enter the lot, staff will radio the family tag number hanging on the car mirror. The family will be called to exit the front of the building.  The children’s book bag tags will be monitored by the staff in that zone.  If you are carpooling with another family, you must have their family tag hanging on your mirror.
  3. Those who pick up students and do not have a car tag OR backpack tag, must park in a designated parking spot and sign out children in the office.  Lost tags will be replaced at the cost to the parent.  A new family tag number will be assigned at a cost of $5.
  4. If a parent is waiting and the child does not come out for some time, a staff member may ask the parent to move to a designated parking spot and enter the building to have the child called over the PA.
  5. It is very important that ALL drivers pay attention to the staff members on duty and pull forward until asked to stop.  Stopping early by individual cars will prevent this process from working smoothly for all families.
  6. When cars exit the lot, they must turn right on Schoolhouse Road in order to create a continuous flow for our traffic pattern.  Please remember to take turns and be patient.
  7. Every family will receive a Family Tag number since no Willowville students are eligible for bussing.  If you would like your child to walk/ride a bike, please send a note to the teacher each day or record it in your child’s planner.
  8. Day Care vans must follow the same traffic pattern.  If a Day Care provider will be picking up your child, please complete the appropriate transportation form.
  9. To ensure the safety of our children during dismissal, we will need “all hands on deck!”  Therefore, transportation changes must be requested before 2:00 pm.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog!  Please check back often for important school and classroom information.  I look forward to an excellent year!