Student Safety is our first priority. With over 400 children leaving school at the same time each day, we have carefully crafted procedures to provide a safer, more controlled environment for all children and to help students develop independence and self-confidence. Our campus is locted on a dead-end street, and we acknowledge that our afternoon carline can be challenging for all. In an effort to provide families with easier afternoon transportation, we offer the designated walker line option in addition to the car line or school bus.
Please note that keeping our walker line means that we must prioritize safety.
- Once released, keep your children with you at all times. We know that kids enjoy playing and parents enjoy visiting, but we ask you to move to the Civic Center for these visits. Staying and playing near moving buses and cars is not safe. Please hold the hands of all children younger than 7 and older children who won't stay with you.
- Please bring your car tag (or your photo ID) every day, and ask others who pick up your child to do the same.
- If you are picking up a pre-k child first, please hold tight to their hands as you wait for K-5 walker line to dismiss. We have about 200 people coming through our doors toward buses at 3:05, and it can be scary for small kids.
We will consider some students as designated walkers. In order to be considered a designated walker, the following guidelines must be followed:
- Designated walkers are only for those students who are consistent in leaving school as a walker. We will consider this method as the way these students go home every day.
- Designated walkers must be picked up between 3:05-3:15. The walker line closes at 3:20.
- Please park at the Civic Center and use the designated crosswalk to cross School Street.
- Come to the first covered walkway. There are benches for your convenience.
- Please bring your WES car tag (or your photo ID) to expedite dismissal.
- The staff member on duty will check your child out to you. Please leave campus once you get your child.
- After submitting this registration, please send a one-time note or message to the teacher that your child will be a designated walker all year.
- Designated walkers will be dismissed to the walker line each day at the bell and will be waiting in the hallway for the walker line.
- All walkers not picked up by 3:20 pm will be taken to the car line. If arriving after 3:20, you must use the car line.
- This option will be impossible to manage well for those who are not consistent. If your child may have to ride the bus or car some days each week, they should not be a designated walker.
- We will operate the walker line rain or shine. If you want your child to be a car or bus rider on rainy days, you will need to notify the office before 2:00 to make a transportation change.
- Parents who do not monitor their children will no longer be allowed to use the walker line. It is a major safety concern for children to play or run in the schoolyard near moving vehicles.
We realize that some families may only need to use the walker line on occasion. When this happens, we ask that you call the school office before 2:00 pm or send a dated note to your child's teacher. We will announce transportation changes and do our best to make sure your child gets to the line. You do not need this form for occasional use.
By signing this form, as the parent/guardian, I understand that I must follow the dismissal policy above for designated walkers at WES. If I am inconsistent or do not manage my child at the walker line, I understand that I will be asked to use the car line or the bus for afternoon transportation.