Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Walkers

Arrival: Walkers: 

• There will not be crossing guards at the intersection of East-West Highway and Grubb Road.

• Children walking East on Colston Drive remain on the Colston Drive sidewalk and then, turn right onto the Rock Creek Forest sidewalk before the bus entrance.

• Children walking to school North on Grubb Road, use the Grubb Road sidewalk and then, turn left onto the Rock Creek Forest sidewalk before the car rider loop.

• Kindergarten Walkers enter through the “Yellow Stair Door.” First Grade Walkers enter through the “Yellow Stair Door.” Grade 2 - Grade 5 Walkers enter through the Main Door.

Dismissal: Walkers 

• Staff will escort walkers out the main door and will meet families under the Rock Creek Forest Canopy.

• Children under the age of 8 walk home with an adult or older student. Please let us know if this presents a challenge for your family.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Bus Riders

• Buses will unload one at a time. All bus riders will enter through the Main Entrance.

• Please help keep our students safe by reviewing proper safety procedures with your child. 

• Students must remain seated on the bus and keep their hands and feet to themselves and out of the aisles. Students are expected to Ride by the Rules

• (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/rules/). Students who do not follow the bus rules may lose the privilege of riding the MCPS school bus.

Dismissal: Bus Riders

Please closely review the updated bus routes.

● Bus riders will be dismissed from class.

It is important that your child’s dismissal plans are consistent. If there is any change in your child’s dismissal plans, please contact the front office and teacher before 1:00 p.m. 

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Car Riders

Arrival:

Enter the drop off circle on Grubb Road and drive around the loop to Rock Creek Forest Elementary School.

• There is no drop off on Colston Drive as it is not safe.

• Please ensure that backpacks are in the car and not the trunk so that the children can safely and quickly enter the school.

• Children exit the car on the curbside of the car.

• Please do not park in the drop off loop or get out of the car.

*Please note: Staff will be available to open car doors for students in the car loop. If your child requires additional assistance, please use the marked loading/unloading area.

Dismissal:

Families picking up their child from school will:

• Enter the drop off circle on Grubb Road and drive around the loop to the orange cone. There is no pick up on Colston Drive as it is not safe with all of the buses entering here.

• Refrain from cell phone use.

• Remain in your vehicle while your child enters into or exits from your vehicle. Please pull into the loading/unloading area if you need to get out of your vehicle for any reason.

• Car riders will exit the building at the “Yellow Stair Door”

• Children will enter the car from the curbside.

• Backpack in back seat not in trunk

Bus Transportation Questions

For any bus transportation questions, please see the list of bus depots. If your bus number begins with a "1," your questions should be directed to the Bethesda Bus Depot office. Please refer to the list for the appropriate contact based on your bus number.

Call Bus Operations by Depot and Bus Route Number:

1xxx-Bethesda: 240-740-6580 (Office)
2xxx-Clarksburg: 240-740-4728 (Office)

3xxx-Randolph: 240-740-2600 (Office)

4xxx-Shady Grove North: 240-740-6220 (Dispatch)

5xxx-Shady Grove South: 240-740-6210 (Dispatch)

6xxx-West Farm Lower: 240-740-1851 (Dispatch)

7xxx-West Farm Upper: (Dispatch)

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Car Riders

In order to maximize instructional time, RCFES is asking parents/guardians to refrain from making appointments during school hours. We understand that some appointments are not possible to be scheduled outside of school hours and we will gladly accommodate these requests. Please email your child’s homeroom teacher and copy our attendance secretary, Mrs. Butters, at dominique_butters@mcpsmd.org when you know your child will be late or dismissed early. Review the procedures for late arrival and early dismissal:

Late Arrival Procedure- School doors open at 9:10 am and close at 9:25 am. When school doors are closed your child is tardy and you will need to walk your child to the main entrance in order to sign in.

Early Dismissal Procedure- When you arrive at the parking lot/car loop please call the office at 240-839-3201 and let us know you have arrived. Park your car and come to the main entrance and sign your child out.