Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

 

 

All parents and guardians are expected  to follow these procedures to ensure a safe and efficient arrival and departure from school.

Morning DROP-OFF 

 

School doors open at 8:15 am. The school day begins at 8:25 am.  Students arriving after 8:25 will be marked tardy.

• • 8:00 – 8:45 am and 2:30 – 3:00 pm – No unauthorized traffic will be allowed past the front of the Bales building. 

Park and Walk

 

Students who are walked to school by parents rather than taking the bus, which we encourage, must park off-site. There are four sites available other than parking on the appropriate side of the Elm and Union streets:  the American Legion, the Unitarian Church, the municipal parking spaces next to the police station on Garden Street, and Granite Trucking. Please do not park in front of local businesses as this affects their business traffic. There will be a crossing guard at the end of the Bales exit drive.

Drop-Off Loop

 

The “loop” in front of Bales is for the drop-off of students, not for parking (there will be a staff person there to assist). The Drop-off Loop opens at 8:10.  Do not enter the loop until the large traffic cone is removed from the end of the driveway.   Please do not pass other cars in the loop. Parents must remain in their cars. Only the first 5-6 cars along the front of the Bales School can unload at a time. Students should practice exiting the vehicle independently. 

• • A staff member will monitor the Drop-off loop traffic.  School busses arrive and use the driveway as well . There is a yellow line painted on the driveway to indicate the maximum number of vehicles that will still allow school buses to enter.   When the Drop-off  loop is full and cannot accommodate any more vehicles,  a staff member will indicate so with a large red LOOP IS FULL  sign.  If and when you see this sign please continue driving.  Do not stop traffic on Elm Street.  Parents can search for a parking spot and walk or drive around to try the drop-off  loop again.  
  •  There is no left hand turn allowed into the drop-off  loop.
  • Please note, we do not use the “drop-off loop” for the middle of the school day.  Parents can utilize visitor parking in front of the school for late arrival and early dismissal. 
  • Parents who are walking their children should bring them down the fenced walkway to Door J, at the Bales end of the Jacques building. By promptly saying your goodbyes and leaving, the staff will be able to facilitate a smooth start to the school day.

Afternoon PICK-UP 

 

Students are dismissed at the end of the school day at 2:45. Students will be  escorted by their classroom teachers  to the buses or to parents/guardians waiting on the front lawn of the Bales School.  Please wait on the front lawn behind the flagpole.   Children will be released one at a time to their parents. 

• • Parents/Guardians should display the JMS Parent Pick up ticket for teachers to see.  Wait for your child’s teacher to make eye contact and release your child. 
  • Please exit the area by walking with your child through the opening in the fenced sidewalk (Brendas’ Way) and cross Elm Street at the crosswalk.