Dear Northside Families,

It seems that there has been a bit of confusion regarding the arrival procedures in the morning. This revision is being sent to all Northside families to help clarify any issues you may have. We realize that there have been some problems, and are working diligently to make an imperfect situation as tolerable as we can for all involved.

Once again, I truly appreciate your patience and understanding, and look forward to an outstanding 2011-2012 school year!

Grades 1-5:

Arrival:

• Please be aware that there is no parking, stopping, or standing in front of the school; therefore children may not be dropped off in front. Also, entering the circular driveway after 8:45AM is prohibited as it must remain unobstructed to allow for bus drop off.

• Please enter the first teachers' parking lot, pull up to the area marked student drop off, discharge your child onto the sidewalk and continue to exit through the rear parking lot onto Swallow Lane. This will allow for children to safely walk along the sidewalk and enter the building at the covered entrance adjacent to the 300 hallway. PLEASE PROCEED SLOWLY THROUGH THE PARKING LOTS AND OBEY ALL STOP SIGNS. Students should not be dropped off prior to 8:45 AM as no doors will be open to the building and no supervision will be provided for students arriving early.

• If walking, students should enter the building through the front door, The 300 front entrance, or the rear 500 hallway entrances (adjacent to back field) ONLY. Please remind students that it is important to walk on the sidewalks and cross at corners during their route to school as well as on the school grounds. ** The doors will not be opened to walkers until 9:00.** Staff will also provide supervision and security in the hallways throughout the school year.

• On mornings of band, orchestra, and chorus rehearsals, the teacher in charge will open the front door for those students. Cars may enter the circular driveway to drop off children between 8:05 AM and 8:15AM.

• We request that families do NOT enter the building when escorting children to school in the morning. All families will have the opportunity to meet their child's classroom teacher on Northside'sBack to School Night on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. If you need to contact your child's teacher, please send a written note with your child or contact the office at 516-520-8395 and the staff will relay the message.

Dismissal at 3:28 PM:

• Entering the circular driveway after 2:50 PM for student pick up is prohibited as it must remain unobstructed to allow for safe bus dismissal. Parents should wait outside the building for their children by the appropriate grade-level dismissal exits:

• PLEASE SEE ATTACHED MAP FOR EXIT DOOR LOCATIONS

• Older siblings will be dismissed from their youngest sibling's grade level exit. For example: A fifth grade student who has a sibling in kindergarten, will be dismissed at the kindergarten exit.

• When it is necessary for your child to leave prior to dismissal, we require a signed written request be sent to your child's teacher which includes the date, time, and the name of the person that will be picking up your child. The person picking up your child will be required to show a Driver's License for the purpose of identification. Please be aware that we cannot release children to persons other than parents or those designated on the Emergency Contact Card. Persons picking up children early should enter through the front doors, follow the appropriate sign in procedures, and proceed to the Main Office.

Please also note the following:

• At all times, parents must use the rear parking lot ONLY (behind the building). All of the spaces in the first parking lot are either reserved or assigned to faculty and staff. It is illegal to park in undesignated spaces.

• At all times, families visiting the school MUST enter through the front doors, follow the appropriate sign in procedures, and proceed to the Main Office.

Thank you for helping provide a safe and secure environment for your children.

Sincerely,
Frank Mortillaro
Interim Principal