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Releasing Children in the School

1. Purpose

The safety and security of all students is our highest priority. This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) establishes clear expectations and protocols for the release of children from school to ensure that every child is released safely, securely, and only to authorized individuals. This SOP applies toĀ all students, families, staff, and administratorsĀ and will be strictly enforced.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to:

  • All enrolled students

  • All parents, guardians, and authorized pick-up persons

  • All teaching staff, support staff, and administrators

3. Designated Release Times

  • Children may only be released duringĀ designated school release times, typically at the end of the school day.

  • Release outside of these times is permittedĀ only with prior approvalĀ from school administration.

4. Early Release Procedures

  • Parents/guardians requesting early release must notify the schoolĀ in advance.

  • Notification must be submitted:

    • In writing to the classroom teacherĀ or

    • By phone or email to the school office

  • The request must include:

    • Student name

    • Time of early release

    • Reason for early release

  • Early release is subject toĀ administrative approval.

5. Authorized Pick-Up Persons

  • Only individuals listed asĀ authorized pick-up personsĀ in the studentā€™s official records may pick up a child.

  • Parents/guardians are responsible for:

    • Providing authorized pick-up information at enrollment

    • Updating the list immediately when changes occur

  • All updates must be officially documented by the school.

6. Identity Verification

  • Before releasing any child, staff must verify the identity of the authorized pick-up person.

  • AĀ valid government-issued photo IDĀ is required.

  • If identity cannot be verified, the childĀ must not be released, and administration must be contacted immediately.

7. Emergency Situations

  • If a parent/guardian cannot arrive on time due to an emergency, they must notify the school immediately.

  • The school will:

    • Contact an authorized pick-up person on fileĀ or

    • Keep the child under direct supervision of designated staff until released safely

8. Late Pick-Ups

  • All children must be picked upĀ within 30 minutesĀ of the designated release time.

  • If a child is not picked up and no notification is received:

    • The school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian and authorized contacts

  • Repeated late pick-ups may result in:

    • Fees

    • Disciplinary action

    • Possible jeopardy to continued enrollment

9. After-Hours Release

  • Children may not remain on campus beyond the allowable grace period without prior arrangements.

  • Parents/guardians must arrange:

    • Alternate authorized pick-upĀ or

    • Approved after-school care when applicable

10. Carline Procedures (Pre-K / VPK Students)

  • Pre-K/VPK students will be releasedĀ only through the designated carline.

  • Parents/guardians:

    • Must follow the approved carline route and procedures

    • Will not enter the building for pick-up

  • Students will be released by anĀ administrator.

  • Release schedule:

    • Monday & Tuesday:Ā 12:00 PM

    • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:Ā 12:30 PMĀ (due to specialty classes)

  • Families will receive written notice of this schedule.

11. Administrative Support During Peak Hours

  • During high-volume pick-up times, additional administrative staff may be assigned to:

    • Verify identification

    • Monitor doors and access points

    • Assist with carline flow

  • Staff will provide aĀ welcoming, professional presenceĀ while maintaining safety protocols.

  • Families must not:

    • Hold doors open

    • Allow others to enter without proper access authorization

12. Change in Release Routine

  • Any change to a childā€™s regular release routine (e.g., transportation changes) must be communicatedĀ before the designated release time.

  • The school must confirm the change prior to release.

13. Parent Presence During Events

  • Parents areĀ not permittedĀ to attend classroom holiday celebrations or parties.

  • Families may be invited:

    • For reading activities

    • For specific events approved and coordinated by administration

  • These procedures exist to prevent safety incidents and maintain consistency.

  • Families will receive updates through photos and videos shared by the school.

14. Staff Responsibilities

  • Staff must:

    • Greet and acknowledge any adult entering the classroom

    • Confirm identity and relationship to the child if unfamiliar

    • Contact the front office immediately if there is any uncertainty

  • No parent or adult is ever permitted to retrieve a child from a bathroom or unsupervised area.

  • Staff must follow the official school calendar and event guidelines.

  • When in doubt, staff must contact administration immediately.

15. Administrative Presence

  • An administrator must always be available during school events and dismissal times.

  • Administrators are responsible for:

    • Family engagement

    • Safety oversight

    • Answering parent questions

  • A school event or dismissal period mustĀ never occur without administrative coverage.

16. Staff Compliance & Corrective Action

  • Releasing a child to an unauthorized person or allowing a child to leave the premises improperly is aĀ serious violation.

  • Consequences may include:

    • Written disciplinary action

    • Immediate termination depending on severity

  • Any violation places the childā€™s safety at risk and will be addressed accordingly.