STUDENT ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

The safety of all children is our top priority. Please read this information carefully. This information will also be shared as part of the 2026-2027 welcome packet. A second mailing will include your child’s nametag. Your child needs to wear this nametag around his/her neck for the first month of school. It will display your child’s name, teacher’s name, and your child’s dismissal procedure.

Please verify the bus information that is listed on the nametag. Bus routes will be posted on the district website at Watertown Public Schools; click on the “Transportation” link for school routes. If you have any busing questions, please call the bus company, First Student, Inc., at (860) 274-5212.

Arrival for 1st and 2nd GRADERS and KDG SIBLINGS: 

Drop-off loop:  Students may be dropped off between 8:35-8:50 AM.

The drop-off loop will be used for all first and second grade parents who are transporting their children. However, if you have a first or second grader and he/she is capable of walking your kindergartener to his/her classroom, you may also use the drop-off loop. The loop will be open from 8:35 AM- 8:50 AM. If you arrive after 8:50 AM you must park and walk your child in through the green doors. Those parents who drop off their children may continue down the driveway and turn into the drive closest to the school. No parent/visitor cars are allowed in the back of the building at any time. Drop-off parents are asked to proceed to the crossing guard until they are signaled forward. The drop-off area is labeled by signs that state “Student Drop Off Area.” You must pull up all the way around the corner to the stop sign. Children must exit from the passenger side of your vehicle, the side of the car closest to the school. Drivers MUST NOT exit their vehicle to open doors for children. This will be strictly enforced to prevent traffic buildup, so please share this information with ALL family members who will be dropping off your child/children.

ARRIVAL FOR KDG & PRESCHOOL:

****Kindergarten parents (without older siblings) may park in the parking lot between 8:35-8:50AM and walk their child to the blue doors at the front of the building.  You must cross with the crossing guard.

PRESCHOOL:

3-Year Old Program:

• Arrival will be at the MAIN BLUE DOORS for preschool at 8:50 AM for the morning session and 12:40 PM for the PM session. Park in the parking lot and cross with the crossing guard. 
• Wait at the doors for Mrs. Lipinski and Mrs. Lichaa to greet the students.

4-Year Old Program:

• Parents must walk students to the green doors between 8:35 AM – 8:50 AM
• Students will be met by a JTPS staff member and brought to their classroom.

PARKING LOT:

You must follow all established procedures for parking/dropping off during arrival and dismissal! The safety of all of our students is everyone’s responsibility! 

IMPORTANT: The first two lanes of our parking lot are ONE WAY for exiting. The last two lanes are for entering.

Kindergarten and preschool parents who transport their children to school will park in the designated area and cross near the crossing guard with their children. You must hold your child’s hand as you walk him/her to the building, as the parking lot is a very busy place in the morning. All adults should set a good example of kindness during drop-off and pick-up. 

HELPFUL REMINDERS:

Encourage your child to say goodbye to you and practice separating so it is easier for your child. We understand that all children adjust at different times, so if your child is experiencing difficulties with separation, please notify the teacher. Also remember that teachers cannot greet students upon their arrival, as they will be greeting their students in their classrooms. All K-2 students will go directly to their classrooms upon arrival. 

Students cannot arrive before 8:35 AM. Any student arriving after 8:50 AM must be walked in through the green doors to the left of the main office by his/her parent to obtain a late slip because the main doors are locked at this time. Children cannot be expected to enter the building tardy and unattended after the main doors are locked. A child is considered tardy if they arrive after 8:50 AM. Parents will ring the doorbell and be buzzed into the vestibule, where their child will obtain a tardy slip.

Children who ride the bus enter the school at the back lobby. We do not allow parents in the back of the building to maintain safety. All support staff members will be on duty to assist the students during the first 2 weeks of school.

DISMISSAL:

You are responsible for sharing the names of the adults who are allowed to pick up your child. YOU, AS PARENTS, ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR SHARING INFORMATION REGARDING ANYONE WHO CANNOT PICK UP YOUR CHILD DUE TO CUSTODY ISSUES. Remember that all adults must show a picture ID each day to pick up children. We do attempt to keep the same staff on duty in certain areas so they can get to know our families at pick up, but this cannot always be guaranteed. On any given day, we have numerous substitutes in the building, and they may end up having to sign out students. 

PARENT TRANSPORT:

• All K-2 students will be signed out in the gym at 3:20 PM. Parents will wait outside of the green (side) gymnasium doors to sign their child/children out daily. Please do not arrive early. 

PRESCHOOL DISMISSAL:

• 3-Year Old Program: Dismissal will be at the main blue doors at 11:20 AM for the AM session and 3:10 PM for the PM session. There is no need to ring the bell, as the teachers will dismiss daily. 
• 4-Year Old Program: Dismissal will be at the green doors to the left at 3:15 PM

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES AND REMINDERS:

Early dismissals between 2:45 – 3:15 PM are no longer allowed, as this causes a disruption to the learning process for the entire class.

Please be patient with the bus times and our arrival and dismissal procedures for the first few days. We have worked to troubleshoot where potential issues may arise, have made necessary adjustments, and will continue to monitor these procedures and make additional changes if needed. 

AM BUS NOTE: It would be helpful if you say your goodbyes as the bus approaches so that there will not be a delay in the bus routes.

PM BUS NOTE: You must meet your child at the bus stop every day. If no one is at the bus stop to meet your child, he/she will be returned to school.

We look forward to working with you and your child. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the office/administrative staff with any questions that you may have.