Dear Mount Vernon Parents and Families,
We would like to make you aware of our student ingress (arrival) and egress (dismissal) procedures for students in Pre-K through Grade 8.
PLEASE NOTE: There has been an important change to the arrival and dismissal procedures for students in Grades 1–5. Students in Grades 1–5 will no longer be dropped off or dismissed from the playground.
These procedures are designed to ensure that the arrival and dismissal of all Mount Vernon students are safe, orderly, and efficient. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and partnership as we work together to keep our students safe.
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PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN
INGRESS — Morning Arrival
Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be dropped off at the front porch of Mount Vernon.
• Parents should use the RIGHT SIDE of the front steps to walk up toward the porch.
• Once you reach the top of the steps, please drop off your child and immediately exit using the LEFT SIDE of the steps.
• Please do not stand, wait, or congregate on the left side of the steps. This area must remain clear for exiting.
• Please make sure you know your child’s teacher’s name and class.
• If you are unsure of your child’s teacher or class, a staff member will be available with class lists to assist you.
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EGRESS — Afternoon Dismissal
For dismissal, parents should line up on the RIGHT SIDE of the front steps.
Two parent lines will be formed:
Line 1: Pre-K 3 & Pre-K 4
Line 2: Kindergarten
Please leave the LEFT SIDE of the steps completely clear. Parents who have received their children will exit using this side, and our bus riders will also be exiting down this side of the steps.
How Students Will Be Released
Parents will be called by grade. For example:
“Pre-K 3 parents, please come forward to receive your child.”
When your grade is called:
• Proceed onto the porch and remain along the border/perimeter of the porch.
• Parents may NOT walk onto or through the student lines.
• Proceed to the front of your child’s class line.
• Please do not call your child off the line.
• Make eye contact with your child’s teacher so the teacher knows you are there to receive your child.
• The teacher will then release your child directly to you.
• Once you receive your child, please exit using the LEFT SIDE of the steps.
This teacher-to-parent handoff is an important safety measure. We must ensure that every child is released directly to the appropriate adult.
Pre-K Dismissal Arrival Time
Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 parents are encouraged to arrive a little early for dismissal, at approximately 2:45 p.m.
Students who have not been picked up will remain safely with staff on the porch until 3:05 p.m.
At 3:05 p.m., any remaining Pre-K and Kindergarten students awaiting pickup will be escorted to the auditorium for late pickup.
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GRADES 1–5
⚠ IMPORTANT CHANGE TO ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
Parents should NOT enter the Mount Vernon parking lot to drop off or pick up students.
Students in Grades 1–5 will NO LONGER be dropped off or dismissed from the playground.
All Grades 1–5 students will now arrive and be dismissed through the alleyway.
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INGRESS — Morning Arrival
• Parents and students must enter through the front of the alleyway on Mount Vernon Place.
• The alleyway gate will not open until 8:00 a.m.
• We strongly encourage families not to arrive before 8:00 a.m., as we want to avoid large groups of parents and students standing and waiting on the sidewalks.
• When dropping off, please do not block the pathway. Students must have enough room to safely enter the alleyway.
• Parents will not be permitted to proceed beyond Door 5.
• Please say goodbye to your child at the designated drop-off area.
• Your child will then be escorted to their class line and teacher by Mount Vernon staff.
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EGRESS — Afternoon Dismissal
Parents should enter through the designated alleyway entrance and be prepared to form three lines:
Line 1: Grades 1 & 2
Line 2: Grade 3
Line 3: Grades 4 & 5
Please remain in your designated area and wait until your child’s grade is called.
For example, when staff announces:
“First Grade parents may proceed,”
First Grade parents may then proceed down the pathway to the side of their child’s class line.
Your child will be released to you in the pathway. Once you receive your child, please continue through the pathway and exit so that dismissal can continue safely and efficiently for the next group.
Please Allow Teachers to Focus on Student Safety
We respectfully ask parents not to attempt to hold conferences or extended conversations with teachers during dismissal.
Teachers must remain fully focused on supervising students and ensuring that each child is safely dismissed.
If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please email the teacher in advance to schedule an appointment or conference. Our teachers are happy to communicate with families, but dismissal is not an appropriate time for conferences.
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GRADES 6–8
INGRESS — Morning Arrival
Students in Grades 6–8 will enter through the Mount Vernon gate located on Tuxedo.
Students should proceed through the designated entrance and follow staff directions upon arrival.
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EGRESS — Afternoon Dismissal
Students in Grades 6–8 will be dismissed through the alleyway and will exit through the pathway onto Mount Vernon Place.
Walkers
Students whose parents/guardians have provided authorization for them to walk home independently will be dismissed through the alleyway pathway and may proceed home.
Students Picking Up Siblings
Grades 6–8 students who have permission to pick up younger siblings will pick up their siblings along the dismissal route and continue walking out through the pathway.
Parent Pickup
Grades 6–8 students designated for parent pickup will remain in the designated area while waiting for their parent/guardian to arrive.
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LATE PICKUP
Please make every effort to arrive on time for dismissal.
The alleyway gate will be locked at 3:15 p.m.
Students who have not been picked up by 3:15 p.m. will be escorted to the auditorium.
If an emergency causes you to arrive after 3:15 p.m., please report to the front porch/main entrance of Mount Vernon to pick up your child.
We understand that emergencies occasionally happen; however, families are strongly encouraged to arrive on time so that students can be dismissed safely and staff can complete dismissal procedures as scheduled.
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AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM STUDENTS
If your child is registered for the after-school program, your child will NOT be placed on the regular dismissal line.
Students registered for after-school programming will be taken directly to the designated after-school holding area in the cafeteria.
Please keep this in mind when looking for your child during regular dismissal.
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR ALL FAMILIES
✓ Follow all staff directions during arrival and dismissal.
✓ Do not block entrances, exits, sidewalks, or student pathways.
✓ Do not enter student class lines or call children away from their teachers.
✓ Allow teachers to complete the student-to-parent handoff before leaving with your child.
✓ Do not attempt to conference with teachers during dismissal. Please schedule an appointment.
✓ Please arrive on time for both morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.
✓ Students enrolled in the after-school program will report directly to the after-school holding area and will not participate in regular dismissal.
The safety of our students is our highest priority. A successful arrival and dismissal process requires the cooperation of our entire Mount Vernon community.
We recognize that the updated procedures—particularly the change for Grades 1–5—may require an adjustment for some families. We sincerely appreciate your patience, flexibility, and support as we implement these procedures.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a safe, smooth, and orderly ingress and egress for every Mount Vernon student.
Mount Vernon Elementary School Leadership Team