Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures
(Pages 10 and 11 of the 2024-25 Westerly Family Handbook)
NOTE FOR KINDER FAMILIES: we kindly ask that for the first month of school, you drop off your little ones through valet drop-off or in the lobby by 8:05 am, rather than walking them to their classroom. This transition period is crucial for them to build a strong sense of community, get familiar with Westerly, and learn classroom routines. Together, we're setting the stage for a successful start to kindergarten!
Valet Drop-Off:
Each morning, Westerly staffs a "Valet Drop-Off" service from 7:55-8:15 a.m. A coned area will be set up in the parking lot where parents/guardians can drive up to the curb and Westerly staff will assist your child out of the car. Parents/Guardians will remain in their car during this process.
Have your child(ren) ready to go in the car. If possible, backpacks should be in the car. If items are stored in the trunk, Westerly staff will open and retrieve for your student. For safety reasons, we cannot have students access the trunk of vehicles.
Pull forward into the coned area following the directions of Westerly staff. Seatbelts should remain buckled until Westerly staff opens the door.
Do not pull in front of any vehicles in the coned area to fill in spaces. Westerly staff will be directing traffic flow.
Westerly staff will assist your child with doors, backpacks, and making sure they are clear of the parking lot area.
Students proceed to the front door to be greeted as usual. Staff will indicate to parent/guardian when it is safe to pull away from the curb.
Parking:
Families may choose to park and walk their child to the front entrance. To keep our children and community safe, we ask families to use extra caution when entering the parking lot and follow these rules. Practice parking lot safety.
Enter through the west side and traffic flows in a counter-clockwise manner.
Drive slowly in the parking lot and on 29th Street.
Always watch for children and be cautious.
If not using the valet drop-off, always park before letting child(ren) out of the car. Do not drop off in the middle of the parking lot.
If you park on the grass side of the lot, you MUST walk your child(ren) across the parking lot.
Do not park in reserved parking spaces.
Do not park in disabled parking spaces unless you have a DMV-issued Disabled Persons placard or license plate.
Valet Pick-Up: Families may pick-up their child in the dismissal area using our Valet Pick-up process or park and walk up to the dismissal area. A coned area will be set up in the parking lot where parents/guardians can drive up to the curb and Westerly staff will assist your child to the car. Parents/Guardians will remain in their car during this process.
Please arrive during your designated pick-up time. For families with different age students, please arrive at the oldest child’s dismissal time. Younger siblings will be supervised during the time before their older sibling is picked up.
Have your child's name on a placard in the window of your car
Pull forward into the coned area following the directions of Westerly staff
Do not pull in front of any vehicles in the coned area to fill in spaces. Westerly staff will be directing traffic flow.
Westerly staff will assist your child to the car
Staff will indicate to driver when it is safe to pull away from the curb
Additional Pick-up Notes
For the protection of your child(ren), only those properly authorized to pick up students, as indicated on the FACTS/RenWeb Pick Up, will be allowed to sign your child out. Written notice must be submitted to the main office to make any changes for authorized pick-up. If a parent/guardian would like to update their Pick-up List, they may do so on their FACTS/RenWeb page, which can be accessed from the Westerly website.
After the pick-up time, students will be escorted to Westerly's Wildcat after-school enrichment program and families will be charged accordingly. The program is offered during all active school days throughout the academic year and begins immediately after school and runs until 6:00 p.m.
Early Arrival
The School is open to students at 7:40am. Students will be supervised at no charge until 8:05am when classrooms are opened.
School start and end times vary depending on grade level - please see the schedule below which also notes drop-off and pick-up times.
After-school programs are available until 6:00 p.m. daily.
**Start Time (M-F): 8:10 am
Drop-off as early as 7:40am
M-Th. Dismissal
K-3: 2:55 pm
4-8: 3:05 pm
Fri. Dismissal*
K-3: 12:25 pm
4-8: 12:35 pm
*Grades K-5 will have lunch just before dismissal, while Middle School will have Open Block activities and a "working" lunch
**This is the start time for all grades.
Early Dismissal Requests
Any child that is leaving early from school must be signed out by a designee, as indicated on the Student Pick-up List or Emergency Contact List on FACTS/RenWeb. Out of courtesy, please notify the classroom teacher and front office about any early dismissal. Families are asked not to take students out early for reasons other than medical or family emergency.
After-School Program/ WILDCAT
Westerly’s Wildcat after-school enrichment program is offered during all active school days throughout the academic year. The program begins immediately after school and runs until 6:00pm. All students attending will have the opportunity for homework assistance and recreational enrichment. All students are also provided with a snack and refreshment. Multiple payment options are available and information can be accessed on the Westerly website Parents/Key Policies & Forms.
Any student who remains on campus unaccompanied 15 minutes after their class dismissal will be escorted to Wildcat. Students are not permitted to wait in the main office or meet parents/guardians in the parking lot. Other after school fee-based programs are available each fall/winter/spring.
What is the Wildcat
Pick-up Protocol?
Wildcat Pick-up: Parents/guardians are to call or text the Wildcat Phone ahead of time and enter the valet line upon arrival:
562-981-3154