Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we prepare to begin the 2026–2027 school year, we want to share several important reminders regarding arrival, dismissal, parent drop-off/pick-up, and transportation expectations at Brownsville Area Elementary School. Following these procedures will help us keep our students safe and ensure that arrival and dismissal run as efficiently as possible each day.
Arrival – 8:55 a.m.
Elementary school doors will open for students at 8:55 a.m.
For families utilizing parent drop-off:
Please remain in your vehicle at all times while in the drop-off line.
Pull forward as far as elementary staff direct you before allowing your child to exit the vehicle. This allows us to unload multiple vehicles safely and keeps traffic moving.
Students should exit from the appropriate side of the vehicle and follow the directions of staff assisting with arrival.
Please do not stop early in the line or exit your vehicle to walk your child to the building, as this slows traffic and may create unsafe conditions.
Dismissal – Begins at 3:05 p.m.
Student dismissal will begin at approximately 3:05 p.m.
For parent pick-up, the gate along Rieghard Avenue will open at 2:00 p.m. Parents and guardians may enter campus and line up in the designated area on the road behind the elementary school. At approximately 3:05 p.m., security personnel will begin releasing vehicles to proceed to the front of the building for student pick-up.
We strongly ask that families do not arrive prior to 2:00 p.m. Early arrivals contribute to traffic congestion on Columbus Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.
During parent pick-up:
Please remain in your vehicle at all times.
Continue moving forward as far as elementary staff direct you.
Please do not stop at a preferred location or leave additional space between vehicles unless directed by staff.
Follow the directions of school staff and security personnel throughout the line.
These procedures allow us to safely load students while moving vehicles through the pick-up area as efficiently as possible.
Transportation Changes
For student safety and to ensure that our dismissal rosters remain accurate, students should be dismissed each day according to the transportation plan on file with the school. The Student Handbook also notes that bus transportation arrangements should remain consistent from day to day.
Families will be asked to establish a student's regular dismissal method, such as assigned bus/van transportation or parent pick-up. If your child has a consistent weekly arrangement—for example, parent pick-up on certain days and bus transportation on others—please make sure that schedule is communicated to the school so it can be documented.
We understand that circumstances arise and transportation plans may occasionally need to change. However, to ensure that every student gets safely to the correct location at the end of the day, we must maintain established and consistent dismissal routines and minimize last-minute confusion.
Any change to a student's regular transportation plan should be communicated directly to the elementary office by 12:00 noon on the school day prior to the requested change. For example, a transportation change for Tuesday should be communicated by 12:00 noon on Monday.
Please call the elementary office directly rather than contacting your child's teacher regarding a transportation change. Teachers may not see messages during the instructional day, and contacting the office ensures that the change is received, documented, and communicated to the appropriate staff. Messages sent only to classroom teachers should not be considered notification of a transportation change.
We recognize that emergencies and unexpected situations occur. When that happens, please contact the elementary office as soon as possible so we can determine how best to assist. Outside of these circumstances, we ask families to minimize frequent day-to-day switching between bus transportation and parent pick-up.
A consistent dismissal plan helps our staff maintain accurate rosters, account for every student, and ensure that children are sent safely to the correct bus, van, or parent pick-up location.
Custody arrangements, licensed daycare transportation, and other approved transportation arrangements will continue to be handled in accordance with district procedures.
Bus Expectations
The school bus is considered an extension of the school environment, and students are expected to follow the behavioral expectations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct located in the Student Handbook while being transported to and from school.
Students are expected to:
Follow the directions of the bus driver.
Remain seated appropriately while the bus is moving.
Keep hands, feet, and belongings to themselves.
Keep aisles clear.
Use appropriate language and voice levels.
Treat the driver and other students respectfully.
Avoid behavior that distracts the driver or creates an unsafe environment.
Families are encouraged to review the Student Code of Conduct and transportation expectations in the Student Handbook with their children at the beginning of the school year. Bus-related behavior concerns will be addressed in accordance with the district's Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary consequences and/or suspension of transportation privileges when appropriate.
Safe arrival and dismissal require cooperation from our students, families, bus drivers, security personnel, and school staff. We appreciate your patience and cooperation, particularly during the first several days of school as everyone becomes familiar with our routines.
We are looking forward to welcoming our Little Falcons back for a safe and successful 2026–2027 school year!
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support,
Mrs. Llewellyn
Principal
Brownsville Area Elementary School