Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

School safety is the number one priority at Elm School.

 

Arrival and dismissal times are the busiest times of day. It is important that families adhere to the posted signs and speed limits around the school to ensure the safety of our students. Please inform all grandparents and caregivers of these procedures.

Traffic Zones

  • ORANGE ZONE is the Bus Line: Buses only.
  • GREEN ZONE is the Primary Car Line: Primary Wing pickup is for students in grades K-2. Enter the Primary Car Line by turning right from 60th Street only and exit onto 60th Street by turning right only. Cars traveling westbound on 60th Street are not permitted to turn left into the drop-off lane.
  • BLUE ZONE is the Prairie Garden Line: The Prairie Garden Line is for students in grades 3-5. Enter the Prairie Garden Line by turning right from Elm Street only. Exit onto Elm Street.
  • RED ZONE is for the Crossing Guards: Crossing guards are at the corner of Garfield and 60th Streets and at the corner of 60th and Elm Streets. When a crossing guard is assisting students, traffic should stop in all directions.

Sibling pickup note: If your family has students in both grade groups, older siblings will come to the Primary pickup line to be with their younger sibling.

 

Elm School arrival and dismissal traffic map with bus, car line, Prairie Garden, and crossing guard zones

Important Safety Reminders

  • It is illegal to be on your cell phone in school zones.
  • DO NOT double park on 60th or Elm Streets. Even for a short period of time, this can be dangerous and is illegal. Absolutely no children should be dropped off or picked up from a double-parked car on 60th Street.
  • All pedestrians should use the crosswalks that are supervised by Elm staff. Please do not cross between cars or outside of the crosswalk, as this could model unsafe behavior for our students.
  • Pedestrians have the right-of-way at crosswalks and should follow all yield signs.
  • It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus while it is loading or unloading children. The bus will have its stop arm extended and its red lights flashing to let you know that it is unsafe to pass.
  • Parents should not exit their cars in the car line. Please remain in the driver's seat. Children should be seated on the curb side of the car for easy exit. This may require families to switch their car seat locations.
  • Dogs are not allowed on school property. We appreciate you ensuring that your pet is not on school property during arrival and dismissal.
  • If you are walking to the front doors to pick up your child at the end of the day and arrive earlier than 3:05, please remember that our second-grade classrooms are still teaching until 3:00. Please do not wave to students or look in the windows, as this disrupts their classes.
  • Please be aware that the Elm School playground is not open until after all students have been dismissed from school. Additionally, all students who wish to play on the playground after school must have an adult present to supervise them for safety reasons.
  • Students should not use the blacktop to pass through during arrival or dismissal. Supervision will not be provided on the blacktop.
  • We use only the front door (near the cow) and the fifth-grade entrance (along Elm Street) to enter and exit school each day. Students are welcome to use either door, whichever is most convenient for your family.

Bicycle Rules

Many students walk to school each day. Students in grades 3-5 may also ride their bicycles, provided helmets are worn and they have participated in the Bike Rodeo. Bicycles must be walked while on school grounds and should be locked in the bike racks. Students must cross at the crosswalks with the crossing guard and should not cross in the middle of the street for any reason.