Arrival Options

We are excited to be able to offer families many long-desired options for school arrival, listed below. Please keep in mind that the processes in our new facility are new to all of us. Importantly:

• These procedures can and will be adjusted. We will observe what is and is not working and thoughtfully make changes when needed. Changes will be announced via email. We thank you in advance for your flexibility.

• The success of these options depends on each member of our school community practicing grace & courtesy and following our procedures. 

• Please see the tip section and work with your child this summer to ensure they are prepared for a successful school year.

Walk, Bike, and Car Arrival

• Walk-up: This option will be available for all families and students. We will direct walk-up traffic to specific areas of the school grounds to ensure safety.

• Bike-up: We will have bike racks available on campus for students who ride their bikes to school.

• Car Loop: We will have car drop-off options and will send more information about this before school starts.

Arrival Timing

Doors to the school will open at 8:20 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., doors to the classroom will open, instructional time will begin, and roll will be taken shortly after. However, families and children may come onto the school campus (but not into the school building) as early as 8:00 a.m. to wait, socialize, and play on the playgrounds with these important stipulations:

• Children’s House students must be accompanied by an adult at all times due to chain of custody requirements. 

• Parents/guardians can determine the supervision needed for 1st-8th grade students. 

• At 8:20 a.m., when the first bell rings, the playgrounds will be considered closed. All students will be asked to proceed inside to wait outside their classrooms.

• Please note that SVCMS staff will be preparing for the day rather than supervising the playground until 8:20 a.m. This means that staff is not available to support with first aid or conflict resolution, and SVCMS assumes no liability for children on the playground or school grounds before 8:20 a.m.

• If a student is not following norms (e.g. refusing to come inside at first bell), parents/guardians will be contacted to create a plan. It is possible for families to lose the privilege to drop off students early. We are excited to offer this option, and we need the cooperation of all families for it to be successful.

Additional Early Drop-off Programs and Considerations

• Before-care: Ivy Camps’ before-care program will run from 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. You can sign up for before-care at this link.

• SVVSD Breakfast: Nutrition Services will serve breakfast (free to students) prior to our first bell. 

  • Children who will eat breakfast at school may enter the cafeteria as early as 8:00 a.m.

  • The last bell is at 8:25 a.m., so please make sure your child is dropped off with plenty of time to eat before that bell.

  • Children who are enrolled in Ivy Camps before-care will also have the option to eat breakfast.

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Pick-up Procedures

We are studying the area traffic patterns and will send more information about pick-up procedures before school starts. 

For now, note that:

• Dismissal loop will run from 3:00-3:15 p.m. for full-day PK-6th grade.

• Middle School students are released at 3:15 p.m. to walk or bike to their next destination, or to walk to their adult’s car in the parking lot. This means there is no staffed dismissal “loop” for Middle School students.

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Buckling & Carseats

Beginning this school year, staff will no longer assist with buckling/unbuckling car seats. Instead, we will have a “buckle zone” that families can pull into if their child needs adult assistance with their buckle. We recommend encouraging your child to practice with their buckle, including building the hand strength for those tricky latches.