As you line for afternoon pickup, please do so in a 1,2,3 manner and not all in the first line and then starting the 2nd line and then the 3rd line. So when the cones are moved, you will pull up in the same manner, line 1, line 2 and line 3 with the line from parking lot blending into line one. If the first line pulls up without letting the other lines in, it makes it difficult for parents to know when the 2nd and 3rd line start pulling up. We don't have the personnel to pull away from the students to man this spot until we release for the afternoon, so we need your help with this. Thanks! Drop Off and Pick Up Times Dropping Your Child Off in the Morning Student drop off begins at 7:30 a.m. at the side entrance of the gym. You may form three lanes of traffic--just follow the instructions of the person directing traffic. They will help you merge into one lane at the curb. Please do not park in these lanes. This blocks traffic and causes potential hazards to students. If you come into the school, please use the lower parking area and walk with your child into the school. THIS YEAR, THE PARKING LOT AT THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. Picking Your Child Up in the Afternoon Student pick up starts at 2:50 p.m. at the side entrance of the gym. FOR STUDENT SAFETY AND AT THE REQUEST OF THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE EARLIER THAN 2:00 P.M. Once again, you may form three lanes of traffic. You will be directed when to merge into one lane. Do not park on the curb as this can be potentially dangerous to students. Better access to the lower parking lot has been provided to help with traffic congestion. Please use this area if you need to park. DO NOT PARK ON THE STREET AS THIS IS INCONSIDERATE TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND PRESENTS A HAZARD SHOULD EMERGENCY VEHICLES NEED TO ACCESS THE SCHOOL.
Official BCPS Nametags Required The official BCPS parent pick up nametags will be required in ALL vehicles on Friday, August 14th. Please keep your sign displayed on the passenger side sun visor AT ALL TIMES while you are in the pick up line. WE HAVE FOUND THAT LARGE RUBBER BANDS HOLD THESE SIGNS SECURELY IN PLACE.
Please don't assume we know your car or face. Different people may be on duty who do not recognize you and many of your cars look similar. By failing to display your sign, you actually slow down the pick up process and run the risk of having to park and come into the office to sign your child out.
If you are walking up instead of driving through, come to the school office to pick up your child. You also need to bring your BCPS sign inside with you.
We are striving to ensure the safety of your children by requiring everyone to show proof when they ask to pick up a student. Please don't view this process as punitive or inconvenient. Instead, consider the preciousness of each child and be prepared to follow these security measures.
Student Pick Up Experiment
Did you know... Once the kids are used to the routine (usually about a week), the overwhelming lines at the drive through only last about 20 minutes? No joke. Once student pick up begins at 2:50 p.m., the bulk of traffic is gone by 3:10.
Here's the Experiment... If you normally pick your child up and dislike the amount of time you spend stuck in traffic, try arriving at a different time each afternoon for one week. Record how long it takes from the time you arrive at the school to the time your child is placed in the car. You may find that being first in line only prolongs your wait time. Coming a little later just might allow you to simply drive through with little or no traffic.
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT... Carpooling? That's right, carpooling. Many of you live near one another. With the cost of gas, the horrible heat, not to mention the wear and tear on your vehicle, carpooling might be the answer. Check around your neighborhood. Who knows? It might be just what you need and it will help eliminate some of the traffic at parent pick up, too! ONE LAST THING...For the safety of your child, please keep your BCPS name tag visible on the passenger's side sun visor at ALL times. (WE HAVE FOUND THAT LARGE RUBBER BANDS HOLD THE SIGN SECURELY IN PLACE.)We can not allow anyone to pick up your child without this sign. Hand made signs simply are not appropriate as it means you are assuming we know the person driving the vehicle and that it is safe for your child to go with them. If you do not have your BCPS name tag, please park in the designated area and come inside to check your child out through the office.
Every child is precious to us. For the safety of your child, PLEASE adhere to these guidelines and keep the BCPS name tag visible until your child is safely in the car.
