February 23, 2018
Dear BIS Families,
We have looked at some of our
student pick-up and drop-off procedures to see if there is anything that can be
done more safely or efficiently. Our
staff is always putting students first and we thank you for your patience and
understanding as we try a few new procedures.
As always, we have numerous staff members with two-way radios stationed
at various points of the building and grounds during drop-off and pick-up.
Morning car rider drop-offs
can be hectic for parents, as there is a small window between 8:30 AM when the
school can be open for students and the tardy bell at 8:40 AM to begin the
learning day. The doors will be locked
at 8:40 AM. We know that parents have
other children to drop-off elsewhere and many have jobs to be on-time for. We started the year like last year, with
staff members opening the car doors for one or two cars at a time to help keep
things moving in a very friendly manner.
We heard a concern that this method
may be unsafe and we considered the concern seriously. We then allowed parents to simply stop one at
a time with staff supervising at the school entrance. This method often proved to be too slow,
especially on days with bad weather and heavier car rider traffic. Students were coming in well after the day
was set to start.
Our new practice was tested last week and the
feedback was positive.
1.
To start some days, we may additionally open the northwest door, which
is just down from the primary door (towards the BHS/BMS Campus). This will help us move some of the initial
long lines coming in from Harris Road.
2.
Once we have helped the line out with this second door, we can close
the door and cars will then resume drop-off as before, with the cars stopping
one at a time at the primary door letting students out.
3.
This new plan will just ask for a little flexibility on the part of the
drop-off cars as sometimes a second door is used and sometimes only the primary
door will be in use. You will always know when the second door
is being utilized as staff members will be waving you forward to another staff
member supervising the second door.
One final note about car
lines, please do not enter the car line
from the opposite direction, or drive around other cars, or drop your student
off early. It is not safe for our students. We have been advised by the
Sheffield Village Police Department to prevent this scenario.
Considering recent national
events, we have also decided on some enhancement measures for the end of the
day.
1.
As our building nears dismissal at 3:25 PM, students are moving
throughout the building, and staff is preparing for dismissal. Students are systematically dismissed as
either walkers, car riders or bus riders.
2.
Except for emergency situations parents may have, parents or guardians are
not allowed to wait in the lobby to meet their student for dismissal. If
you need an early dismissal prior to 3:10 PM, please arrange that as usual with
a note and/or message. After 3:10 PM, you will need to pick up
your student(s) in the car rider line if they are not a walker or a bus rider.
Thank you for
your understanding and support. Please call me if you have any questions or
concerns.