The Union Public School District is planning to add about 20 minutes of instructional time to the school day by eliminating staggered dismissal times and having one dismissal time for all students.
In a letter sent home to parents from UPSD Superintendent Tyler Hansford, he said the students would gain 3,600 more instructional minutes over a school year, which is about 60 additional hours of instruction time or about 1 hour and 40 minutes per week.
Beginning on Monday, Oct. 8, there will no longer be staggered dismissal times for car riders at Union Elementary. All car riders will be accompanied to the cafeteria at the same time by teachers where they will be safely monitored by staff until buses have cleared campus. A double line of cars will form on King St. by the playground. When buses clear, security personnel will create one car line to move toward the loading zone at the front of the school. All staff will remain and assist loading car-riders so that the process will go more quickly and to help ensure safety.
Hansford said the new plan is similar to what was done on the afternoon of the homecoming pep rally.
“Car-rider tags must be present in cars,” Hansford said. “This ensures the safety of your child and it also speeds the loading process. If you need additional car-rider tags, please call the elementary office. Only parents/guardians may request additional tags. Those without tags will be asked to go to the office and present identification. As always, our number one priority is the safety and security of each child. It is vital that parents respect the rules to keep everyone safe. Circumventing the system makes it harder on everyone.”
Walkers will be dismissed at the same time car riders are after buses leave campus. Walkers will be dismissed to the parking lot behind the cafeteria on Peachtree Street under teacher supervision.
“We suggest that car-riders not get in the car-rider line until 3:20-3:25 p.m.,” Hansford said. “Once buses are dismissed, cars will be pulled through. Your children will be protected from the elements in the cafeteria and will not be called out until your car is pulling up. Once all cars are stopped, that group of students will be loaded. As the next group of cars is pulling up, students will be taking their place as next to be loaded.”
Hansford also said the one-time release will also eliminate problems for parents that have been created with a staggered release schedule, especially when more than one child needs to be picked up.
“We know that your time is valuable,” Hansford said. “You will no longer have to make multiple loops through the car-rider line or wait for older children to be dismissed.”
Hansford said he appreciates the parents’ patience through the process. For more information or for questions regarding procedures, contact Lori Wilcher at wilcherl@unionyellowjackets.org.
