Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Safely Dropping Off and Picking Up Students

We have a car line procedure for drop off and pick up at our school due to limited parking.

• Arrival is between 7:45 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Staff will greet students at the car for arrival.
• If you arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. please park and walk your child to the front door.
• If you arrive after 8:15 a.m., please enter the school with your child to sign-in. This is considered tardy.
• Dismissal is between 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. Students will be dismissed by school staff from the classroom.
• You must have a car tag on your dashboard for us to release your child to you in the car pick-up line. If you do not have your car tag at the time of dismissal, you will be asked to park and wait so that a staff member can verify your identification. A driver’s license will be requested.
• Please inform us anytime someone who is NOT on the approved list will be picking up your child. We must have the update in written form and will request proof of identification prior to releasing the child. Safety first!
• If you must pick up your child early on a regular school day due to a scheduled appointment, please arrive by 1:00 p.m. Students will not be dismissed after 1:30 p.m.
• Please remain at your car. You may see your child, but please do not approach them. When the “Safe to Load” message is received via the walkie talkies, staff will walk students to the car.
• During dismissal, please ensure your child is buckled-in safely. We will monitor daily arrival and dismissal, ensuring that students are safely secured in a car seat, as required by law. If you have a need for a car seat, please let any staff member know at arrival or dismissal and we will do our best to work with community partners to help secure one.

Booster Seat Laws In Tennessee

Children age four through age eight, and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child is not between age four and age eight but is less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)

Please visit the Tennessee State Department of Safety for more information.

Carline Request

• During arrival and dismissal, we ask that families do not pass other cars in the carline. Please wait until the car in front of you is ready to leave. This is to ensure the safety of all children.
• If you feel that your child is ready to get out of the car and walk inside independently on the first day of school, please drive through the car line and a staff member will be present to assist your child into the school. If your child struggles to get out of the car, we ask that you park and walk your child to the school front office. The goal is to move all students to an independent walk to the door. There might be some tears, but within the first two weeks there will be plenty of staff to assist your students. They can do this, we promise!
• Throughout the year, we encourage you to come inside the school as needed to speak to your child’s teacher. We do ask that you use the carline first to drop off your child, then park your car to come inside the building.

Thank you for your understanding in helping our arrival/dismissal procedures run smoothly.

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

• When driving north on Nolensville Pike, pass the main entrance of the school and turn left at the red light (2197 Nolensville Pike). You will see a large black and white sign that reads, “Park at Melrose Heights”.
• As you enter, the community park will be on your right. Turn left to drive along the rear side of the building.
• Continue to drive around the building (see map) until you see the sign that says, “Stop Here”.
• Please remain on the right side of the road, closest to the cinderblock wall, to increase the safety of all drivers.
• A staff member will guide the cars to the drop-off/pick-up area in front of the school entrance.
• Once you are in the designated “pick up” location during dismissal, please place your car in park and your child will be brought to you.