ARRIVAL INFORMATION
The school building is open to students at 8:55 A.M. Crossing guards are available to cross students starting at 8:50. Students who walk to school should not arrive before 8:55. Parents should note that there is no supervision for students until 8:55. After the 8:55 bell, all students should walk to their classrooms or breakfast. If tardy after 9:15, students should report to the office first in order to receive a late pass to class.
BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, ROLLER BLADES AND SKATEBOARDS
Bicycles, scooters, roller blades and skateboards are to be walked on cement walkways on the school grounds in order to avoid injuries, starting at the first crossing guard station on Eaglefield Dr. For bicycles, students are to walk them to and from the bicycle racks and lock them there. Skateboards, scooters and anything other item that is ridden are also to be walked. They can be taken to the classroom as long as those items do not disrupt the educational process. It is illegal for anyone under 16 to ride a motorized vehicle. All balls are to be carried (not bounced) from the first crossing guard to school and back. It is expected that all students riding bicycles, scooters, and skateboards wear a safety helmet. Also, if a student is riding roller blades or shoes with wheels, they need to be taken off when entering school property.
BOOKS and EQUIPMENT
Classroom and library books and equipment should be treated with respect at all times. Books must be returned in good condition except for normal wear. The student is responsible for replacement costs if a book or other item is damaged or lost and/or not returned at the end of the year. Final report cards will be held until needed payments have been made.
DISMISSAL ROUTINES
At dismissal, riders are picked up in the undercover area at the rear of the school. This area has comprehensive supervision. If children are picked up in the front parking lot, they must walk with an adult from the school to the car.
Instruction continues to the end of the school day at 3:40. Student pick-up begins then. All students not picked up by 3:55 will be taken to the office. All students are to leave the school area when school is dismissed. Supervision is not provided by the school unless students are part of an organized after school activity.
Students riding the bus will load buses at the northwest side of the building. Parents may not pick children up in any area near the school buses. Staff supervising the loading of buses have radios. If you happen to be late, go to the front office and the staff will be radioed. They will remove your child from the bus and send them to the office.
If your child is going to have a change of dismissal routine, such as being picked up instead of riding a bus or being picked up by another parent, please send a note with that information to school or call the office. We cannot change the dismissal routine of a child unless we have notification from the parent.
PETS
Many in our community walk their dogs to school. We want to remind people to keep dogs and pets outside the building due to allergies and fleas. Given that some students are afraid of dogs, please keep them away from the immediate area of the exits so that students feel comfortable exiting the building. Also, please clean up after your animal when on the field or on the school grounds.
PTSA (PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT ASSOCIATION)
To encourage parent participation in our school, Pioneer Elementary has scheduled their night meetings as published in the Arlington Public Schools Calendar. PTSA provides opportunities for parental participation during the school day: room parent, classroom volunteer, make-and take-it volunteer, field trip supervisor, etc. The PTSA also sponsors informational meetings. PTSA encourages direct involvement in our school. It sponsors a variety of community wide projects to help foster citizenship and pride in our students. If you have any questions, please contact the PTSA president, Kari Fiorillo, through the school at 618-6230.
REPORTING TO PARENTS
Arlington Public Elementary Schools are on a trimester reporting schedule. Report cards are provided to parents three times per year. Goal setting parent conferences are held in October. These conferences are intended to give parents an opportunity to meet with the teacher and set academic goals. Parent conferences will also be held in late March/early April to discuss your child's academic progress.
SCHOOL CROSSINGS
Crossing guards will be stationed at the crosswalk near Eaglefield Drive and Champions Drive and at the first crosswalk west of the school entrance on Eaglefield Drive at 8:50 a.m. and at 3:40. Students are asked to walk on the south sidewalk along Eaglefield Drive for their safety. Upon entering school property, students will walk only on the sidewalks, not in the parking lots or on the street. Students who are walking are to use the concrete walkways and refrain from walking on the road, parking lots, grass areas, shortcuts, or neighbors' property.
SIGNING IN
It is important for all visitors or volunteers to sign in at the office for both security and safety reasons. At this time, we may ask to check your identification, and you will receive a visitors badge. This will help us to account for you in case of an emergency evacuation and also ensure that all inside the building are approved to be a Pioneer.
