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Gertrude Johns Elementary

5 days ago

Dear Families,
Thank you for your continued cooperation with our dismissal procedures. Following these procedures consistently helps ensure that dismissal runs smoothly and, most importantly, keeps all students, families, and staff safe.
We would like to provide an important reminder regarding the M–Z pick-up line:
If there is still a line on Sherry Street in front of the school, you must join the existing line. Please do not turn left from Sherry Street onto Craig Hanking and bypass families who are already waiting.
Daycare buses and vans are the only vehicles permitted to turn left from Sherry Street onto Craig Hanking during dismissal.
Parents should not block the cones along the curb on Craig Hanking. These areas must remain clear so daycare and school buses can safely pick up designated students.
Please remember that our teachers and staff work very hard—especially in these hot temperatures—to support the dismissal process and ensure the safety of our students. Your cooperation is essential to keeping this process orderly and safe.
The Arlington Police Department is aware of our dismissal procedures and may monitor the area to help ensure everyone follows the established process and remains safe.
If you have any questions or need clarification regarding dismissal procedures, please contact the front office.
Thank you for your cooperation and for supporting our efforts to ensure a safe and efficient dismissal process for everyone.
Thank you, ... See MoreSee Less

Gertrude Johns Elementary

2 weeks ago

Hello, Johns Families,

Here is an explanation of how dismissal tags function, as operations differ between the front and back building pickup locations.

The front drive serves as the pickup area for students with last names starting with A–L. During the first few weeks of school, please display one pick-up tag on your dashboard, the other will be collected by staff. This helps staff and new students connect students with the correct vehicle as they are dismissed. Once staff and students grow familiar with the vehicles, the additional tag may be used by another designated adult picking up your student. We operate differently due to the two lanes of traffic that travel through the front driveway.

Students with last names starting with M–Z are picked up at the back of the building. To help dismissal run smoothly, teachers will begin by collecting pick-up tags early. Afterward, parents and adults picking up students are asked to keep the pick-up tag displayed on the vehicle's dashboard. A teacher equipped with a radio will call each student's name into the building so they are ready at the door as your vehicle approaches.

For families with students who have different last names, please let your student's teacher know where the older sibling will be dismissed (front pickup for A–L, back pickup for M–Z). Arrangements can then be made for the younger sibling to join the older sibling at that dismissal location.

If arriving after 3:55 PM, parents and adults will walk up to the front door of the school to pick up their student. Please note that pick-up tags are valid only between 3:35 PM and 4:00 PM; anyone picking up a student after 4:00 PM must show a photo ID.

Each parent has been provided with two dismissal tags. Should you require an additional tag, extra copies can be bought for $2 in the front office.

Please reach out if you have additional questions. Have a wonderful long weekend! ... See MoreSee Less