Changes to Dismissal
Changes in dismissal must be in writing to the classroom teacher. Please do not call the office to change dismissal arrangements. Calling into the classrooms to announce changes disrupts instruction and can lead to confusion for the children at the end of the day. Please also remain mindful not to send an email noting a change in dismissal for the same day to teachers/staff during school hours. Teachers and staff may not see your email during instructional hours prior to the start of that day’s dismissal. Plan in advance and send a note to the teacher beforehand.
Safety at Arrival and Dismissal
For the safety of all children, please follow these guidelines during drop-off and pick up:
- CROSS CHILDREN ONLY AT THE CROSSWALKS.
- Do not leave children unsupervised at the school before 9:00 am Door A (Cedar Avenue Main Entrance only).
a.) Students cannot play on the playground before or after school without caregiver supervision.
- Park your car and walk your children to the front door.
- Do not double park or block traffic on Cedar Avenue.
- At all times, watch out for other children.
- Do not use the school's parking lot for drop-off or pick up.
- At all times, follow posted parking signage.
Drop Off and Pickup Locations *Arrival:
● All Kindergarten, First & Second Grade students being dropped off by a caregiver enter the building through Door A (Cedar Avenue Main Entrance) at 9:10 am.
● All Pre-Kindergarten students being dropped off by a caregiver enter the building through Door B (Off of High Street) at 9:10 am.
● All bussers enter the building through Doors C and D (Off of High Street) at 9:10 am.
● All students arriving late after 9:20 am will enter the building through Door A (Cedar
Avenue Main Entrance). Caregivers dropping their child off late should ring the doorbell for assistance.
*Dismissal:
● All Pre-Kindergarten students being picked up by a caregiver exit the building through
Door B (Off of High Street) at 3:35 pm.
● All Kindergarten students being picked up by a caregiver exit the building through Door
A (Cedar Avenue Main Entrance) at 3:35 pm.
● All First Grade students being picked up by a caregiver exit the building through Door F
(Located on the right hand side of the building near the blacktop/playground) at 3:35
pm.
● All Second Grade students being picked up by a caregiver exit the building through Door
G (Located on the right hand side of the building near the playground) at 3:35 pm.
● All bussers exit the building through Doors C and D (Off of High Street) beginning at
3:35 pm.
● All students being picked up late after 3:35 pm will be dismissed from Door A (Main
Entrance). Caregivers picking their child up late should ring the doorbell for assistance.
Road Closures
Because the school buses load and unload on High Street, this street is closed to traffic between approximately 8:45 am and 9:30 am and between 3:10 pm and 3:45 pm. Adjustments to these times are made for delayed openings or abbreviated days. Do not enter High Street when the “Do Not Enter” sign is present. If the “Do Not Enter” sign is present, please enter from Orange Road and High Street. The “Do Not Enter” sign pertains to all motorists.
Car Line
The car line is staffed by Nishuane staff members each morning beginning at 9:00 am on Cedar Avenue. The car line ends at 9:20 am. Please pull up to one of the staff members who will help your child out of the car on the school side of Cedar Avenue. If you use the car line then you should NOT get out of your car. Use caution as you re-enter the traffic flow on Cedar Avenue.
There is no car line when there is inclement weather (i.e. rain, snow, etc.). You may still pull-up to drop off, but staff will not be present to open your car door. If the “stop & go” signs are not present on Cedar Avenue at 9 am, this is an indication that the car line will not be available that day. Students may still be dropped off at 9 am. A staff member will be present beginning at 9 am to direct students into the building. Students will be supervised inside of the building until the first bell rings at 9:10 am.
*Important Safety Reminders!
● Please remain mindful to maintain the flow of traffic, particularly when traveling down Cedar Avenue and/or when making a left onto High Street after dropping off your child(ren) on the car line.
● Please remain mindful of pedestrians and the crosswalk at all times.
● It is strongly recommended not to park on both sides of Cedar Avenue. You are strongly
encouraged not to park across from the car line on Cedar Avenue. Parking on the opposite side poses a safety hazard and disrupts the flow of the car line.
● Families are encouraged to use the carline during drop off as a safe option.
● Always stop when you see a bus stop sign.
● If crossing Cedar Avenue, please always use the crosswalk. As a reminder, the crosswalk
must be used to ensure that you are legally crossing the street. Not using the crosswalk
poses a major safety hazard.
● K turns cannot be made on Cedar Avenue when the car line is underway.
● Only allow your child(ren) to exit on the right passenger side of your vehicle directly
onto the sidewalk in front of Nishuane. Similarly, only allow your child(ren) to exit your vehicle directly onto the sidewalk when dropping off on High Street for the YMCA before and after care program. When buses are not present, it is strongly encouraged to drop off on the side of the street closest to the school building.
● Do not block driveways.
● Carefully monitor your vehicle speed at all times.
● Cones are set up each morning along the curb of Cedar Avenue across from Nishuane.
These cones help to prevent parking/stopping in critical areas and maintain the flow of traffic.
*The Montclair Police Department enforces all traffic laws pertaining to buses and traffic. The Montclair Police Department will support with monitoring the car line, as well as to ensure that everyone is legally parking and crossing Cedar Avenue.
Thank you for working together to ensure a safe car line!
Walkers
Children who are not eligible for bus transportation should be picked up each day by a caregiver or authorized individual at 3:35 pm. Please inform your child’s teacher of any individual that you authorize to pick up your child in your absence. It is important for the safety of your child that you fill out the pick-up authorization form and send it back to the classroom teacher. All students are dismissed through the main entrance. Please be sure that your child is picked up from school on time at 3:35 pm.
Bus Riders
Children who are eligible for transportation through the Board of Education will be dismissed to their assigned bus at 3:35 pm. Students should be picked up on time at the bus stop. In the rare instance that you miss your child at the stop, they will be returned to Nishuane School. Please be sure to call the school immediately if this happens. If a student is missed at the bus stop on a regular basis, they will be suspended from taking the bus. Changes in dismissal must be in writing by a caregiver. If a note is not received from a caregiver indicating the student should not take the bus, the student will go on the bus.
Bus Rules
A pupil may be excluded from the bus for disciplinary reasons by the administration and their caregiver shall provide for their transportation to and from school during the period of such exclusion.
● First Report – The student will be reported to the school administration. A letter will be sent to the student’s caregiver informing them of the incident as well as what procedure will be followed if a second or third incident occurs during the school year.
● Second Report – The student will be excluded from the bus for a period of five (5) school days and his/her caregivers shall provide transportation to and from school during that period. Absence from school during this period will be considered truancy.
● Third Report – The student will be excluded from the bus for a period of thirty (30) school days and his/her caregivers shall provide transportation to and from school during that period. Absence from school during this period will be considered truancy. Any further infractions will be subject to an additional thirty (30) school days suspension of bus privileges. Suspension will be carried from year to year.
Late Pick-Ups
Please be sure to pick up your child on time each day. Montclair Board of Education Policy 5142.1, which states: Provision shall be made to take care of “officially escorted” students through the police and/or Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) if the designated individual does not arrive at dismissal time on a regular basis. Parents/guardians failing to arrive at school or to have an authorized person arrive at school in a timely manner to “officially escort” their child/children will be reported to the proper authorities and parents/guardians who fail to arrange prompt dismissal pick up on an ongoing basis may be required to meet with the principal to develop alternate arrangements for dismissal time. Further district or legal action may be taken if the alternate arrangements are unsuccessful.
If an emergency arises which causes you to be late to pick up your child, the classroom teacher will bring the student back into the school. Please be sure to call the school immediately to let us know what arrangements are being made to pick up your child.
YMCA Before & After School Care Program
Before school care for students is available at Nishuane School beginning at 7:30 am and after school care is available at Nishuane from 3:35 to 6:00 pm. Both are offered at a nominal fee. Parents must provide transportation to and from school. Information about the YMCA-sponsored Expanded Day Program is available in the Nishuane Office or by contacting the YMCA directly at 973-744-3400. Caregivers will need to park on High Street when bringing or picking up their child and enter through Door #4. Before & After Care Caregivers are not permitted to drop off or park in the staff parking lot.
Visitors
It is the policy of the Montclair Public School district (Policy 9150) that all visitors must first report to the main office before going anywhere in the building. From 8 am-4 pm all visitors must have a pre-approved appointment, with the exception of large school events and PTA/SATp meetings. Visitors will arrange with classroom teachers and staff members in advance of the date of all visits in order for them to be able to obtain approval. This will also enable the staff member to inform the main office of the visit in advance. Please note that we are not able to accommodate unannounced visits in order to maintain a safe school environment.
All items dropped off by caregivers during school hours must be left in the bin located outside of the Main Entrance (Door A). Please clearly label all items with your child’s name and homeroom number. We will check the bin regularly and deliver the items to your child.
Doors are locked throughout the school day. All visitors must ring the front doorbell to gain access. All visitors and staff must adhere to the following protocols for the safety of the children and staff.
1. A secretary will greet you over the intercom when you ring the bell. Please look into the camera and state your name, your child’s name, and your intended purpose in the building.
2. At the top of the stairs, you will sign in, fill out the required visitor form, and put on a visitor's pass.
3. Report to the Main Office door for further instructions before going anywhere else in the building.
4. Wear a visitor’s pass for the duration of your visit. The visitor’s pass must be visible at all times.
5. Please be prepared to present your photo identification.
6. Only proceed to the location of the visit. Please refrain from making additional stops.
a. If the classroom teacher is not ready to receive a visitor, they must wait in the visitor seating area located in the Main Office.
7. Sign out before leaving the building through the main entrance.
8. Should you need to use the restroom while in the building, please only use those
designated for staff. These restrooms are located next to Room 203 on the second floor and in the Staff Lounge on the first floor.
9. Do not prop doors open under any circumstance.
10. Do not hold open the door for anyone behind you when entering or exiting the building.
11. Please PULL the door when you close it to ensure that it is fully closed/locked.
12. Please do not park in the staff parking lot as spaces are limited and needed for staff to park.