While traffic and parking are no one’s favorite topic, it is important that as a community, each of us participate in making our system work as efficiently and safely as possible for the good of all our students. Sometimes community is most powerfully created in the small details. Please consider that every time you pull into the Lower School parking lot, you have an opportunity to contribute to the overall quality of our community. You model for your children what it means to do the right thing, as well as being patient and courteous, even when it might not be the easiest or most convenient thing for you or your schedule. We count on all parents to approach parking, traffic, and pick up with this community-minded attitude and with safety in mind at all times.  Printable PDF of these procedures.

I. Cell Phones (Hand-held or Hands-free)

Use of cell phones in the Lower School Parking lot is strictly prohibited. Cell phones should be turned off prior to entering the Lower School or Ridgeview parking lots so that there is no need to make or answer a call while in the parking lot.

II. Morning Drop-Offs on Main Campus

• Please try to arrive between 7:40-7:55 AM. School begins promptly at 8 AM. The lower door near the pagoda will be locked at 8 AM.
• Drive around the entire periphery of the parking lot. Please do not let children out of the car
near the Cowan Center, in the handicapped parking spaces, or in the mid-section of the parking lot. Take the extra minute and drive around to drop your child off at the pagoda.
• At the pagoda, pull up as far as possible before stopping.
• Children should exit curbside only. Group IV helpers and the Lower School Head will be
present to assist children out of their cars and into their classrooms if needed.
• If you must come into the school at drop-off time, please park in a “Visitor” space.
• Always use the crosswalk if you are accompanying a child to the pagoda.

III. Early and Late Arrivals

Children, who, because of a particular family circumstance, need to be dropped off at school before 7:40 AM should come and wait outside the LS library. A teacher will be on duty by 7:30 AM to greet and supervise them in the library. At 7:45 AM, they will be sent to their classrooms where their teachers will be ready to meet them.

School begins promptly at 8 AM at which time attendance is taken. At 8:05 AM, the downstairs door is locked and kept locked until dismissal time, in order to assure the security of the lower level. Girls who arrive late should come in the upstairs door by the office, and check in at the office to have their names removed from the absentee list. Please remember that tardies become a part of your daughter’s official record.

IV. Pick-Up Times and Dismissal

• Regular Lower School Pick-up times are as follows:

• SERENDIPITY classes for Groups I-IV will start on Monday, September 13. Pick-up is at 4:15PM at the pagoda.

• Bus (and late sibling) Study Hall pick-up is at 3:45 PM, Monday-Thursday. Study Hall is only for CC-Group IV siblings with sisters in GA’s Middle School.

• Please display your oldest Lower School daughter’s parking sign in your windshield (before you enter the parking lot if possible). The designated colors for each class are:

PC – White
CC – Red
Group I – Blue
Group II – Green
Group III – Pink
Group IV – Yellow

• Windshield nametags will be sent home with your daughter(s) the first day of school. If you need more than one sign, please ask your class reps. Additional signs will be available at the opening class coffees.

• Please drive around the Lower School lot and stay as far to the right as possible. Other cars should always be able to get by you in the passing lane. Please be especially careful at the curves not to be blocking the passing lane. Given our space constraints, it is helpful to us whenever you are able to bring a smaller car to dismissal rather than a huge van or Suburban.

• Dismissal is not a good time to try to discuss something with your child’s teacher. Teachers need to stay
focused on their students during this time and are not at liberty to enter into conversations with individual parents. Parents who wish to speak with the teachers may call or send a note to set up an appointment.

V. Late Pick-Ups

All parents or other adults authorized to pick-up a child are expected to be on time for pick-up. Children who are not picked up within ten minutes of their designated dismissal time will be taken back into the school to wait outside the Lower School office. If you arrive late and your child has already gone back inside the school, please park in a “Visitor” spot and come into the office to get her.

VI. Parking

Please NEVER . . .
• Park at the LS pagoda
• Park and block another car, no matter what the reason.
• Please NEVER park or double park in the lanes; always take a designated space.
• For Special Event Parking—GA personnel will be available to direct traffic to additional parking areas.

VII. Cooperation

We require everyone's full cooperation in following the procedures for drop-off and pick-up each day. Throughout the year, please help each other uphold a safe and courteous environment at all times, and extend a helping hand to our new families as they learn our expectations and procedures.

PLEASE make sure that everyone who picks up your child knows and follows the rules. This is especially important for nannies or family members/friends who do not pick-up your child on a regular basis and who are therefore not familiar with our procedures.

Serious concerns, especially related to children’s safety, should be immediately referred to Marilyn Hart, the Lower School Representative, or to Jeanette Tyndall.

Thank you! Let's have a safe and courteous year!

7/30/04