DISMISSAL BY OTHER THAN USUAL MANNER: At the elementary level, knowledge of where your
child is going after school is important. If a child takes a certain bus home or walks to after-school care, it is
assumed this is the usual method by which they will depart from school.
If your child will not be going home by the usual route, a written note to the teacher is required. A copy of
this note will be kept on file in the office for the days noted. It is essential that the teacher/substitute knows
how to dismiss the students - by bus or walker route. If your child is going home with another student on that
student’s bus for daycare or emergency reasons, a note is required from the parents/guardians of both the
student who is going home on a different bus, and also from the receiving parent/guardian explaining the
reason for the bus change. If you are e-mailing the teacher with this information, please cc the information to
the office for our records. (nclang@groton.k12.ct.us).
Though we will do our best in emergencies, we can not guarantee that messages from phone calls regarding
dismissals will reach a student in time. Such messages to students and to the class are disruptive and can
confuse the child. For this reason, all dismissals by other than usual routes must be in writing. This will help us
ensure the safety of your child. Students without notes will be sent home by their usual route.
There will be NO PHONE CALLS to classrooms except in cases of EMERGENCY.
Early Dismissals – Early dismissals cause significant interruptions to your child and the other students in the
classroom. We encourage you to set appointments that will not interfere with the pre-dismissal
procedures.
 Requests for students to be dismissed before 3:30 PM must be by note, except in cases of
emergency. Students in grades 2 – 5 will proceed to the waiting area in the foyer to be picked up
according to the time in their note. There will be NO PHONE CALLS to classrooms except in
cases of emergency (or for grades Pre-K – 1).
 Any child leaving school prior to regular dismissal time is considered to be dismissed early
(equivalent to a tardy arrival). Walkers are dismissed at 3:30.
REDUCING INTERRUPTIONS TO INSTRUCTION
SCHOOL-TIME PROCEDURES
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Any item dropped off for students will be left for them on the table in the foyer. Please make sure
all items are clearly labeled with full name and class.
Parents will be asked to wait in the “Waiting Area” of the Foyer for appointments during the day.
BUS PROCEDURES
Students are expected to ride their assigned buses and to board and exit the buses at their assigned stop.
Students may not ride other students’ buses for visiting or play dates due to lack of space or to assigned seating
on some buses.
We may be able to accommodate bus changes for students in cases of emergency or temporary child care
needs provided we receive a written request from parent/guardian to the school secretary stating:
1. Date(s) change is to occur
2. Name, address and telephone number of party who will receive child
3. Reason for change (Daycare or Emergency - only)
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