A Peek at Arrival & Dismissal

We are so excited to kick off the new school year!

This newsletter covers everything you need to know about getting your child to and from school safely and smoothly. It usually takes about two weeks for our arrival and dismissal routines to settle into a steady rhythm, so we strongly recommend sticking to your regular drop-off and pick-up plan starting right on day one.

Please take the time to read through the details below. Thank you for helping us keep our routines safe and efficient for all of our families!

Safety is our first goal. These arrival and dismissal procedures assure all students come through our doors safely and you leave our parking lot safely.

To keep our building secured and students safe in the parking areas, we've created a system that has been tested and works well. It has been approved by NH Homeland Security and the police department. The key to its success is everyone joining the rules and routine. When parents decide to park at the playground and walk through the parking lot, the safety decreases. When parents get frustrated and pass cars in the car rider line, the safety is no longer there. The procedures are not optional.

We ask that you come into the car rider line with the mindset that you get to spend some quality time with your child. Sit tight, be patient, listen to some music and follow the rules outlined below.

Important Safety Policies:

• Staff can not buckle or unbuckle students

• Families can not enter classrooms

• Put your car in park (we've seen cars roll and hit the car in front of them many times)
• Children should remained buckled unitl they get out of the car (hanging out of windows terrifies us)

• Place children on the passenger side with belongings packed and ready.

Arrival Times: 3 Year Olds & Kindergarten 8:25-8:40am & 4 Year Olds 12:00-12:10pm

Dismissal Times: AM Preschool 11:00am & PM Preschool and K 2:55pm

Bus Transportation:

Arrival: Students are met from the bus and escorted to the classrooms

Dismissal: Staff escort students directly to buses and seat them in the front.

Car Rider Drop-Off & Pick-Up:

Driving Route & Drop-Off Zone

1. Approach: Enter the Rec Dept/ECLC lot from the WEST side of Ramsdell (the green town playground will be on your right). If approaching from the opposite direction, turn around in the playground lot and join the end of the line.

2. Traffic Flow: Drive slowly around the outer edge of the lot toward the school steps. Do not block the Rec lot entrance (this is the exit route).

3. Drop-Off (Arrival): Stop in the DROP ZONE. Park, keep the engine running, and step out to help your child unload.

4. Pick-Up (Dismissal): Display your NAME PLATE in the front windshield. Stop in the PICK UP ZONE; staff will bring your child to the car, and you must quickly step out to buckle them in.

5. Exit: Carefully exit onto Ramsdell Lane by turning RIGHT (watch for buses).

First Day "Park & Walk" Only

• First Day: You may park in marked spots (no parking on Ramsdell Lane) and walk your child to the main entrance door..

• After Day 1: The parking lot closes; all families must use the Car Rider loop or Bus system. Do not park at the playground or walk through the lot during peak times.

Curbside Pick-Up: Dismissal for appointments~ It’s always best to not dismiss students during the school day, however, there are times when it’s necessary.

• Pull up to the flagpole in the bus lane

• Call the office 603-664-5586

• Student will be brought out to you. Please have ID ready.

Curbside pick-up will only take place between 9am and 2pm to avoid the traffic of arrival and dismissal

Helpful Hints:

• After the first day everyone needs to use the DROP OFF system or bus ~ the parking lot will be closed. Please don't part at the playground and walk through the parking lot.

• It is much more safe to use the drop off loop and allow the staff to escort your children into the building ~This eliminates walking through the parking lot during high traffic times.

• Also, having children walk into school with friends and saying hello to the staff teaches them social skills and builds confidence.

When the moring bell rings at 8:40, staff will head in and you'll see this sign. The "learning day" begins at 8:45, so staff need to get to classrooms.

In the afternoon, staff will come in from dismissal at 3:15, so please be on time for pick up. If you are late, your student will be waiting in the office. Staff need to get back to classrooms to prepare for the next day an attend meetings.

We understand that occasionally being late happens, please call the office and let us know.

The first 10 minutes of the school day set the tone for everything that follows! During this quick window, students unpack, connect with their peers, go over the daily schedule, and settle into a calm mindset.

When children arrive a few minutes late, it’s easy for them to feel rushed or behind before the day has even properly started. Being on time gives your child a smooth, confident start and helps keep our classroom routine running seamlessly for everyone.

Thank you so much for your partnership in helping our morning drop-offs run on time!

You can drop off at BES between 8:20am and 8:30am; and then come here.

What if I have to pick up a child at the ECLC and BES?

We dismiss 20 minutes earlier so, come to the ECLC first and then head to BES.

Bus Routes are available on our website under For Families > Transportation or by clicking here.

Students riding the Green and Purple buses will be picked up at the ECLC by the Blue bus and safely transferred to their correct bus at BES. All other kindergarten students will be picked up directly at the ECLC by their assigned bus.

Please remember that it takes a couple of weeks for routes to smooth out and find their rhythm. You can help your driver by being out five minutes earlier than your scheduled pickup time.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to Kelly Dobe at Dail Transportation at 603-736-9682 or kdobe@ridesta.com or Brigid Connelly, Operations Manager at 603-664-0507 bconnelly@sau74.org.

Email: tgower@sau74.org
Website: https://eclc.sau74.org/
Location: 77 Ramsdell Lane, Barrington, NH, USA
Phone: 603-664-5586
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barrington-NH-Early-Childhood-Learning-Center-132291483587971/