The Bronco Beat

Happy November, Broncos!

The first nine weeks are behind us, but our work is just beginning! Throughout the grading period, I have seen strong foundations being built and many students demonstrating their Bronco POWER through Purpose, Ownership, Wonder, Effort, and Reflection. Let’s keep that momentum going as we begin the second grading period!

Here are a few updates and reminders:

🏅 Grades 3–5 Awards Ceremonies

We are excited to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of our students in grades 3–5! Awards ceremonies will be held on November 16, 2026. Please see the schedule farther down in this newsletter for specific times.

🔒 Campus Safety: No Tailgating

We are implementing a no tailgating policy for visitors entering our building. Please do not hold the door open or allow others to enter behind you. Each visitor must be individually approved for entry by school staff.

You may also notice that staff members are asking additional questions when visitors arrive. These questions and procedures help us maintain a safe, secure learning environment for our students and staff.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and continued partnership in keeping our Broncos safe!

To help keep our campus safe and secure, we are implementing a NO TAILGATING policy for all visitors entering the building. Please do not hold the door open for anyone entering behind you, as all visitors must be individually approved for entry. You may also notice that our staff are asking additional questions before allowing visitors into the building. These procedures are intentional and are designed to ensure we know who is entering our school and why. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work together to maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff!

Below are some important dates to keep in mind during the month of November. First is the November at a Glance with important dates and events. Below is a link to see the important dates and events for the first semester.

A quick reference for morning drop off and afternoon pick up. Keep this handy on the visor — knowing the pattern keeps our Broncos safe and the line moving.

KEY POINTS

1. Enter center driveway, turn RIGHT. The left side is for buses only — the car loop always begins with a right turn.
2. Every student gets a number card. Families receive two cards — keep one in each car that picks up your child.
3. Display the card on your dash or visor. Staff can't call a child to the car without seeing the matching number.
4. No card after week one? No exceptions. You'll exit and loop via Hwy 53 to the office to verify with photo ID.
5. Same pattern, morning and afternoon. Follow the loop behind parked cars, then between the rows to the pickup cones.
6. Pull to the next open cone. There are 6 cones — a staff member will call and walk your child to the car.
7. Exit by the tree line. Once your child is buckled in, continue forward and exit — don't back up or cut across.
8. Stay in your car the whole time. Staff and volunteers bring students to you for a safer, faster line.

DO

• Display your number card on the dash or visor every single time.
• Pull all the way forward to the next available staff member or cone.
• Stay in a single line and follow the painted/marked path.
• Remain in the vehicle — let staff help your child in and out.
• Have backpacks, shoes, and buckles ready before you reach the front.
• Arrive a few minutes early so you're not rushed through the loop.

DON'T

• Don't turn left at the entrance — that lane is for buses only.
• Don't pass, pull around, or cut in front of other cars in line.
• Don't get out of the car or send children between moving vehicles.
• Don't stop between cones — keep pulling forward to close gaps.
• Don't block the driveway to make a phone call or search for items.
• Don't honk, rev, or rush staff — they're moving as quickly as they safely can.

Please Be Patient With Our Staff & Volunteers

Every adult in that lot — teacher, staff member, or volunteer — is out there rain or shine to get your Bronco safely to you. The line moves fastest when everyone stays calm, follows the pattern, and gives our team a little grace, especially during the first few weeks of school. A smile and a wave go a long way!

Blue Creek Elementary | Car Rider Line Guide — Questions? Contact the front office.

Blue Creek Elementary • Bronco Family Guide

A quick reference for arriving late or picking up your child early — including our new front-office kiosk this year.

KEY TIMES TO REMEMBER

⏰ Half-Day Mark — 12:00 PM
Students must arrive by 12:00 PM to be counted present for the day.

⏰ Check-Out Cutoff — 2:45 PM
2:45 PM is the latest a student may be checked out for the day.

🪪 Valid ID Required
A valid ID must be presented at the time of check-out — every time.

ARRIVING LATE? CHECKING IN

1. Who Can Check In a Student

• Every late student must be signed in by an adult — students cannot sign themselves in.
• The adult walks the student into the front office rather than dropping them at the door.
• Please allow a few extra minutes as our new kiosk system gets up and running this year.

1. Why It Matters

• Signing in keeps an accurate, safe record of every student on campus.
• Arrival by 12:00 PM is the half-day mark — this is the cutoff for a student to be counted present that day.
• Front office staff are happy to help — thank you for your patience as we learn the new system together!

PICKING UP EARLY? CHECKING OUT

1. Before You Arrive

• Bring a valid photo ID — it must be presented at the time of check-out, no exceptions.
• Plan ahead: the latest a student can be checked out is 2:45 PM.
• Checkouts after this time will need to wait for regular dismissal.

1. Once You're Called

• After your child has been called to the office, parents/guardians are asked to step back outside the building.
• This keeps the front office space safe and private for all students and families coming and going.
• Your child will be brought to you right outside — thank you for helping us protect everyone's privacy!

NEW THIS YEAR — CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT KIOSK
Blue Creek is introducing a new kiosk for checking students in and out of the front office. Staff and families are both learning the system together, so please be patient with us as we get settled into the new process!

REMEMBER:
Valid ID at check-out • Adult sign-in for late arrivals • 12:00 PM half-day mark • 2:45 PM check-out cutoff • Step outside once your child is called.

QUICK REFERENCE

1. Late Arrival — An adult must walk the student in and sign them in; students may not sign themselves in.
2. Half-Day Cutoff — Students must arrive by 12:00 PM to be marked present for the day.
3. Check-Out ID — A valid ID is required at check-out every single time, no exceptions.
4. Check-Out Cutoff — 2:45 PM is the latest time a student can be checked out.
5. Step Outside — Once your child is called, please wait just outside the building for safety and privacy.
6. New Kiosk — A new kiosk system is being used for check-in/check-out this year — thanks for your patience!

Questions? Contact the front office.

We’re live!!

Our brand-new Blue Creek Elementary PTO website is officially up and running!

Explore recent news, learn about our board members, meeting information, merchandise (coming soon!), box tops for education, recent school events and ways to support our school – all in one place.

Check it out here: bluecreekpto.org

Got spirit? Prove it!

Blue Creek merch is calling—t-shirts, hoodies, drinkware, blankets & more. Don’t be the only one without it!

Scan the QR code & snag yours now!

The NC School Report Card can be accessed from the Blue Creek Elementary or Onslow County Schools website. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the NC School Report Cards link.