MES Family Newsletter
Summer 2025
Dear McAllister Elementary School Families,
We’re so excited as we get ready to kick off another school year together!
There’s nothing quite like the energy our students bring to the building—their enthusiasm and love for learning are truly inspiring. It’s what fuels us each day and reminds us why we do what we do.
At McAllister Elementary, our mission is to create and maintain a school environment that’s safe, welcoming, and supportive of every student’s academic, social, and personal growth. We know that building strong relationships with both students and families is a key part of that mission. When schools and families work together, amazing things happen—both in and out of the classroom.
I believe that open, honest communication is essential to a successful school year, and I want you to know that my door is always open. Whether you have a question, concern, or just want to check in, I’m here for you. Working as a team, we’ll continue to help our students thrive!
Thank you for the continued opportunity to work alongside you and your child. Let’s make it a great year!
Sincerely,
Heather Tucker
Principal
MES Essential Information
- School Hours: 8:20 AM – 3:20 PM
- Morning Drop-Off:
- Begins at 7:50 AM
- Students should be dropped off no later than 8:15 AM to ensure they are in their classrooms and ready to learn by 8:20 AM.
If a student arrives after car line drop-off has ended, a parent/guardian must sign them in at the main office.
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Afternoon Dismissal Changes
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Any changes to a student’s afternoon dismissal must be communicated in writing via a signed note sent to your child’s teacher.
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- Breakfast - students $2.50/adults $2.75
- Lunch - students $3.75 (elementary) and $4.00 (middle/high)/adults $5.00/visitors $5.25
New Times
Summer Break
Most of our staff are still out for summer break. Our office staff returns on July 10th and our teachers will return on July 29th.
School Supplies
2025–2026 School Supply List
Click here to view the supply list for the upcoming school year.
If you purchased a school supply box through PTSO, you’re all set—there is nothing more you need to do. The supply box will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom before the first day of school.
School Supply Kits
Our deadline for school supplies was extended one last time! The final date to order is tomorrow, July 8th! Don’t miss out on the easiest part of back to school and check that supply trip off your list!
School Nutrition Program
Check out the School Nutrition flyer for details on our new platform, School Cafe, and updated meal prices for the upcoming school year.
Open House
If you have not heard from your child's teacher by the morning of Thursday, July 31st, please call the front office and we will be happy to share the name of your child's teacher with you.
If you arrive to the school prior to 4:00 PM please enter through the cafeteria. Doors to the rest of the school will open at 4:00 PM.
Pre-k & Kinder Camp
More information regarding drop off and pick up will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.
First Day of School
Due to the number of students we have at MES and to ensure safety for all, students should be dropped off by their normal mode of transportation on the first day of school. Faculty and staff will be in place to ensure all of our students get to the right destination.
Open House is a great opportunity for you to walk the building with your child and show them exactly how to get to their classroom from their drop-off point. We will also be helping our youngest Wildcats through this process during our Pre-k & Kinder Camp on Monday, August 4th.
We know that Wednesday, August 6th will be another amazing first day of school for our incredible McAllister Wildcats and we appreciate so much the support of our wonderful families!
Bus Drop Off Policy
The Bryan County Schools (BCS) transportation guidelines are available at the link below. These policies went into effect last year and will remain in place for the upcoming school year:
BCS Drop-Off Waiver & Transportation Policies
We will have both the Bus Escort Form and Waiver Form available for you to complete at Open House.
Walkers
At McAllister Elementary, we have "Dependent" and "Independent" walkers. Dependent walkers are picked up by a parent/guardian at the bike rack that is located across the street from the school in front of Buckhead East. Independent walkers are able to leave campus and walk home without a parent are guardian.
The requirements to be an Independent Walker have changed based on the new district guidelines. Please read over the criteria closely.
Dependent Walkers
Students must live in Buckhead East.
A Walker Consent Form must be on file.
All grade levels are allowed to be dependent walkers. (Pre-k students can only be a Dependent Walker)
Dependent Walkers will be dismissed from the bike rack on the side of the road closest to Buckhead East.
The adult picking up the student(s) must have the Transportation Tag for each student being picked up that day. This will serve as identification and will be checked daily at the bike rack.
If an adult does not have a student’s Transportation Tag, the student should be picked up from the main office using a picture ID.
Independent Walkers
- Students must live in Buckhead East.
- A Walker Consent Form must be on file.
- Multiple students from the same household must leave campus together.
- Who can be an Independent Walker?
- Students in 4th or 5th Grade.
Students in 2nd or 3rd Grade that have a signed Waiver on file.
Students in K-3rd grade that are walking home with a 4th or 5th grade student. If the 4th/5th grade student is NOT a sibling, the school will need a note from the older child’s parent acknowledging they are aware their child is responsible for taking the younger child home. If the 4th/5th grade student is absent or not walking home at regular dismissal time, the younger student must go home another way.
Morning Drop Off
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
PK-1st
Families with PK - 1st students will utilize the Dotted Line Traffic Pattern. McAllister staff will open the doors of the cars for these students. If you have a mixed group of students, please utilize this line if there is a PK-1st grader in the car.
2nd – 5th
Families with only 2nd - 5th students will utilize the Dashed Line Traffic Pattern. You will enter through the same lane where buses drop off students. Students should be prepared to exit from the vehicle on their own. McAllister staff will be out to assist as needed.
Click here for a larger version of the map.
Afternoon Pick Up
Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
All Car Riders
For all students, utilize the road that goes around the back of MES. After you pass the gate, traffic will sort into two lanes. If you are picking up any students in grades PK-1, you must utilize the "inside lane" (right). If you are only picking up students in grades 2-5, please utilize the "outside lane" (left) ONLY. Please utilize the same lane all year long even if one of your children are absent for the day.
Please have the appropriate Transportation Tag(s) displayed during pick-up. These Transportation Tags are what is used to call students out to the loading area and ensure that students are being picked-up by the correct adult.
Make sure that students know their car Transportation Tag number, which is how they are called from the supervised area to line up in the afternoons. If, for any reason, the Transportation Tag(s) is not displayed during afternoon pick-up, the driver will be required to check-out the student through the main office. A picture ID will be required.
Click here for a larger version of the map.
Your Feedback
We’d love your input as we plan PTSO meetings and evening events—like Art Night and Curriculum Night—for the upcoming school year. Our goal is to choose times that work best for our families. Please take a moment to complete this quick survey to help guide our planning. Your feedback is truly appreciated!
School Council Member
For the 2025-2026 school year, we will have one opening for McAllister Elementary's School Council. A local school council is intended to help local boards of education by bringing parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other's concerns and share ideas for school improvement. School councils represent the community of parents and businesses. The school council focuses on school improvement, student achievement, and functions as an advisory board to McAllister Elementary School. School Council terms are 2 years and traditionally consist of four meetings during the school year that take place during the school day.
This survey is meant to gather interest in participating in the McAllister Elementary School Council for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are interested in running for a position on the council, please fill out this short form no later than Friday, July 18, 2025. The school council is an elected board so a nomination ballot will then be shared out with stakeholders once we have nominees.
School Resource Officer
We are excited to announce that beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, McAllister Elementary will have a School Resource Officer (SRO) on campus!
Officer Herriman brings with her a dedication to building positive relationships with students and staff, while also helping to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone.
You and your children may see Officer Herriman around campus during arrival, dismissal, and throughout the school day. She is excited to get to know our families and looks forward to being an active and approachable presence at McAllister.
We are grateful to have her as part of the team and look forward to the many ways she will contribute to our school’s continued growth and safety.
Lunch Guests
Lunch Guests
- All lunch guests must be on your child's white card.
- One lunch guest per child per week due to space limitations.
- Ensure you look at the schedule closely for designated weeks. We will only be able to accommodate lunch guests on the scheduled weeks.
- All guests will be required to sign in at the front office and wear a visitor's badge while on campus.
- All visitors will eat with their child at a designated area in the lunchroom. Due to space and safety, only your child will be permitted to eat lunch with you. Your child's friends will not be permitted to join lunch with you.
- No outside food will be permitted during your visit.
Volunteers
We love volunteers!
In order to become a volunteer in Bryan County Schools, you must complete the Volunteer Orientation process. More information regarding how to become a volunteer will be sent out soon!
Communication
We want to help support you and your child, so please reach out if there is anything we can do to help your child be successful at McAllister!
Important Dates
- Thursday, July 31st 4:00-6:00 PM- Open House
- Monday, August 4th 8:30-10:30 AM- Pre-k/Kinder Camp
- Wednesday, August 6th- First Day of School
- Thursday, September 18th- PTSO Meeting/ Curriculum Night
McAllister Elementary School
Email: htucker@bryan.k12.ga.us
Website: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/o/mes
Location: 224 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Richmond Hill, GA, USA
Phone: 912-851-4040
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McAllisterElementaryRH/
Twitter: @mcallister_es