Dismissal Procedures

August 21, 2026

Dear Fairfax Families,

We need your help with dismissal! Our goal is to keep dismissal safe, organized, and moving smoothly for all of our students and families. Afternoon dismissal begins at 3:25 PM and ends at 3:45 PM. To ensure a safe and orderly dismissal, school doors will close at 3:45 PM. After that time, parents and guardians will be required to come inside the building to sign out their child.

🚗Car Riders🚗

If your child is a car rider, please use the car rider line. Do not walk up to the front doors to pick up your child.

• Remain in your vehicle and follow the directions of school staff.

• Staff will direct you to move forward to the designated flag.

• Please do not get out of your car. We will send your child to you.

• The front doors are designated for car riders. Please do not congregate around the front entrance.

• Keeping the area around the doors clear is an important safety issue and allows our car rider line to continue moving.

🚶🏻‍♀️Walk-Up Pick-Up 🚶🏻‍♀️

If you are walking to school to pick up your child, please use the playground doors rather than the front entrance. Please keep the area near the doors clear so students may dismiss orderly. Also, we only release children to their parent or designated emergency contact. Please do not send others to pick up your child as they will not be released. You may park on Scarborough or other surrounding streets. Please do not park in the car rider lane or the bus lane as this blocks the flow of the car rider and bus line and creates a safety concern.

🚌Bus Riders🚌

Bus riders will exit through the back doors near the playground. Please allow plenty of space around these doors so students and staff can move safely and efficiently.

Dismissal may move more slowly than usual during the first few weeks as everyone learns the routines. We appreciate your patience as we work together to establish a smooth dismissal process.

We will have signs and staff members available to help direct families and answer questions. Please follow their directions so we can safely get everyone home.

Transportation Changes

If you need to make a transportation change for your child, please adhere to the following procedures:

• All transportation changes must be communicated to the school before 2:30 PM. Families may send a written note or call the school office.
• Any transportation changes requested after 2:30 PM may result in your child going home via their normal mode of transportation. The first and last hour of the school day are our busiest times, and this window allows staff adequate time to communicate the message and ensure your child is escorted to the correct location in the building.
• Please do not email transportation changes, as emails may not be seen in time or the recipient may be out of the office.
• Transportation changes will not be accepted from students or siblings. All changes must come directly from a parent or guardian by contacting the office.
• If transportation changes are discussed with your child via text or phone but the school has not been notified, your child will be dismissed using their normal mode of transportation.

These procedures are in place as a safety measure to ensure all students are dismissed safely and consistently.

Thank you for patience and helping us keep dismissal safe and efficient for all of our Fairfax Tigers!

Warmly,

Dr. Walker

Principal

Fairfax Elementary School

Friday, August 21

• No Kindergarten Students report (see the letter sent to families)

• All Kindergartners Start - Clap-In at the Front Door

Tuesday, August 25

• Curriculum Night 5:30-7:30 PM

• PTA Ice Cream Social 5:30-7:30 PM

• Homecoming Parade

• Sneaker Ball

• Picture Day

• Trunk or Treat