Elementary Pick-Up & Drop-Off Procedures

Student drop-off begins at 9:00 a.m. To help maintain a safe and orderly arrival process:

• Do not pass other vehicles in the drop-off line.
• All traffic should move in the same designated direction.
• Follow the directions of school staff at all times.
• Do not enter the bus ramp, with the exception of Nansemond Parkway Elementary School.
• Drive slowly and remain alert for pedestrians and students exiting vehicles.
• Whenever possible, have students exit the vehicle from the side closest to the sidewalk or school entrance.

The elementary school day begins at 9:25 a.m. Students arriving after 9:25 a.m. are considered tardy.

• A parent or guardian must escort students arriving after 9:25 a.m. to the main entrance to be signed in.
• Vehicles should not park in designated fire lanes. Parking in a fire lane may result in a ticket.

The elementary school day ends at 3:50 p.m. To help reduce traffic congestion during instructional time, families are encouraged not to begin lining up for afternoon pick-up before 3:30 p.m.

Students who need to leave school early for an appointment or family emergency must be signed out by an authorized adult. Each school may have different procedures and cut-off times for early dismissals that occur close to the end of the school day. Families should contact their child’s school for specific early dismissal procedures.

Students who are not everyday bus riders are asked to register for an everyday pick-up tag/placard.

• Only a parent or legal guardian may complete the application.
• A photo ID is required for verification by school staff.
• Each family will receive two parent vehicle placards and one student backpack tag with matching identification numbers.
• The vehicle placard must be clearly visible from the front mirror of the vehicle during daily pick-up.
• If the car rider tag is not visible, the parent or guardian may be required to report to the main entrance and sign the student out.
• The corresponding smaller identification tag should be attached to the student’s backpack.

For student safety and consistency, students should not routinely switch between being a bus rider and a car rider.

If a transportation change is necessary on a rare occasion, written notification must be provided to the school front office and the student’s teacher before 12:00 p.m.

Suffolk Public Schools uses a universal bus tagging system for Pre-K and Kindergarten students who ride the school bus. These tags help bus drivers, including substitute drivers, easily identify younger students who must be released to an adult at their designated bus stop. Bus tags are provided to elementary schools and are used throughout the school year.