• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures:

    Students may arrive at campus between 7:55 and 8:25.  At 8:20, the bell will ring indicating that it is time to enter classrooms.  A student will be considered tardy if he or she is not in the classroom by 8:25. 

    Car riders will enter through the front lobby.  Walkers and bike riders will enter through the PE doors. Bus riders will enter through the north doors near the bus loop. 

    Once a student enters the building, they may choose to go to the lunchroom for breakfast.  Breakfast is free for all of our students.  Students who do not choose to get breakfast are expected to go to the assigned hallway where there is a designated location for them to sit with their classmates.  While in the hallways, students will sit quietly and read while they wait for school to begin.

     

     

    On the first day of school, all McNeal students will be given a colored plastic bracelet that will be attached to the top of their backpack.  The bracelet is color-coded to coincide with each student's method of dismissal.  When the bell rings at 3:15, walkers and bikers will be dismissed by grade level. Daycare and buses will be dismissed overhead. Car riders will wait until their name is called to go out the front doors.

    Walkers - Our students who walk home will be dismissed through PE doors. It is assumed that students who are designated as walkers have permission from their family to walk home independently.  If a parent chooses to have their child meet them at the crosswalk, park or any other destination, it is the parent’s responsibility to be in that area every day.  If you choose this procedure, please practice with your child what to do if, for some unforeseen reason, you are not there one day.  Because we only supervise students to the gate or crosswalk, we have no way of knowing that a supervising adult is missing.  We never want a student to be in a position where he or she is afraid and unsure of how to get home safely.  Kindergarten students must have a parent or sibling pick them up from the Kindergarten walker pick-up area.

    Bike and Scooter Riders - Bike and scooter riders will be dismissed through the doors leading to the PE area.  Only students with bike helmets will be allowed to enter the bike rack area.  Students are expected to walk their bike or scooter while on school property and through each crosswalk.  It is assumed that students who are designated as bikers have permission from their family to be home independently.  If a parent chooses to have their child meet them at the crosswalk, park or any other destination, it is the parent’s responsibility to be in that area every day.  If you choose this procedure, please practice with your child what to do if, for some unforeseen reason, you are not there one day.  Because we only supervise students to the gate or across the crosswalk, we have no way of knowing that a supervising adult is missing.  We never want a student to be in a position where he or she is afraid and unsure of how to get home safely.  Remember, Florida Law requires bike riders to wear a helmet at all times.  Bike riding is a privilege which may be revoked by the principal if necessary.

    Car Riders - All car riders will be picked up in the car rider loop each day.  Our school will provide each family with multiple placards with their child’s name to be displayed in the front window on the passenger side.  This assures us that an authorized individual is picking up your child… and it helps make the line move faster!  If you do not have a placard, we will politely ask you to pull up and park, and then we will check your ID with records.  We request that you remain in your car and as you pull up to our secured curbside, an adult will place your child in your car.  In order to help traffic move as quickly as possible, please pull all the way up to the car in front of you to allow us more loading space.  Please understand that we are dismissing more than 700 students all at the same time.  We will make every attempt to move the line as quickly as possible. However, safety is our priority.  We are vigilant about ensuring every student is placed in the correct vehicle!

     

     

    Inclement Weather

     

    In the event of inclement weather, such as heavy rain or lightning, we will implement our “rainy day” dismissal procedures.  Here are the procedures that we will follow:

    -Car Riders-These procedures will remain the same for picking up your child.

    -Bike Riders-You can make arrangements to pick up after the weather passes.

    -Walkers-All walkers will stay in their classrooms and follow the car-rider procedures.

    Please know that on occasion we have extremely severe weather that will force us to keep everyone inside.  If this should happen during dismissal, we will do our best to keep you updated on the dismissal situation.  Remember… keeping everyone safe is our very first priority.

     

    Change of Transportation Home:

    If you change your child’s transportation home, you MUST send a note to school.

    We understand that sometimes events arise that cause you to have to change your regular routine. As much as we care for and trust our children, we will NEVER take a child’s word that they are changing their transportation home for a day. You MUST send a note to school that is dated and explains how your child’s transportation will be changed. You may put this note in your child’s planner if you choose.

    • No changes will be made by phone!
    • No teacher will allow any student to change their way home unless there is a note from a parent or guardian.
    • If you have a true emergency, please call the front office, and we will do our best to work with your situation.