Drop-off/Pick-up Tips

My son just started K as well adn the last 2 days I got there at 3:30 the first day and was WAY back in the line and ended up waiting 45 minutes to pick him up... then yester day I got there at 3:15 and still was about 15 cars back and ended up waiting the same 45 minutes about by the time he got into my car... so today I am not going to get there until about 10 minutes after school is out that way, I will hopefully just drive up in a moving line instead of sitting in line with my car running that long... I will see how it goes today.

A. J

We live near our son's school so I just walk to get him. Even if we have somewhere to go right after pick up it's still faster to walk up and walk back home to get in the car. For the parents who don't live near the school and don't have time to wait in the carpool... they park somewhere close..usually in front of my mailbox :) or along the side of the residental roads next to the school. That may be an option for you until things settle down.

Years ago I would do the same thing...Take late lunch to get the kids picked up, etc. and remember it was crazy for the first couple of weeks then it went to normal...in and out.

Teachers don't know you to let the child just go to a car and don't want the child to go the wrong way, etc.
My friend is a first year teacher and she said just to follow the list of where all the little ones go was very busy for her. Making sure this child went to the bus line, this child was to be picked up by, this child's brother would come by to go with them together, etc.

Hang in there!

Hi D D,

I don't know where you live, but if you live in Plano, I have started a child shuttle service there. I know there have been services started in other areas of DFW too. As you know, most school districts don't offer bus service to families within 2 miles of the school. Though we drive more distant routes, our close-in routes really fill a need. We can carry up to 11 children in our vans...trying our best to help with the length of those carpool lines and your time spent in them!

If you're interested in learning more about our service, please visit www.KidShuttleASAP.com. If you're not in Plano, there are a couple of links to other child shuttle services on our website too.

Good luck!

My daughter also started first grade at public school for the first time. I have also noticed how long it takes to pick up and drop off. It drives me CRAZY!
I'm just hoping a big part of everything taking so long is because of school being new and the pick up drop off still being so new to everyone.
I know when we used to tour the school before choosing it, my hubby and I went at pick up time to see how the process worked with the school and it went pretty smoothly so I think it may just take time.

Good luck to you and to your son in Kindergarten. : )

As a sub teacher and MOM. The first couple of weeks are hectic.

My daughter is at Middle School now. I used to leave my house at 3:20 to be in the front of the line for school let out at 3:30 (for 6th annd 7th grade)

For the last 2 days (8th grader now), I have left no later then 3:10 and I am STILL in the back of the line.

It is simply getting through the first couple of weeks and then it will even out.

My subbing is at the elem school and most of the time, when the routine is in check....we (teachers) are back in the building by 3pm (that is with a 2:45 bell) with no children in tow.

It takes a little patience and tolerance to get through the first couple of weeks and then you hit routine.

Good luck!!

my son just started kindergarten to this week. he gets out at 245, i usually get there at 220, park, sit till 240, then walk up to get him. i'm usually out and leaving by 255...not any real issues here. We are moving though from mesquite to richland hills in Oct. luckily his school is only a 5 min. walk from the house, so I wont have to deal with traffic thankfully.
i'm sure over time, just like the other mothers have said, it will get easier. there will be more structure after the first cpl of weeks.
best of luck

This is my daughter's second year in public school & I've noticed that the first half of the first week is more crowded with parents than later days will be, as far as picking up & dropping off are concerend. However, that car pick-up lane seems to ALWAYS be a nightmare. Even with my two year old in tow, it's easier for me to park on the street & walk up to the school to collect Madison. Also, I've found that getting there 10 minutes after school has let out rather than right as they're being released, so most parents have come & gone already, allows me to get in & out much more quickly and with far less hassle.