5230 - EARLY DISMISSAL

Upper Arlington City School District

Administrative Guidelines

5230 - EARLY DISMISSAL

Board of Education policy requires that the following guidelines be followed for early dismissal of any student.

	A.	Only principals may release a student from school before the end of the school day.
	B.	Principals may release students before the end of a school day only upon presentation of a written or face-to-face request from the child's parent or for emergency reasons. (see Form 5230 F1)
	C.	Requests for early dismissal should be submitted to the principal as early in the school day as possible.
	D.	A student may be released "on his/her own" only with verified parental permission.
		When a parent telephones a request that a child be released early from school, the identity of the caller and any custodial arrangements should be confirmed before the child is permitted to leave. If the parent is calling from home, the school can verify the request by a return telephone call. In the event the telephone call is not being made from the child's residence, the caller should be asked detailed questions about the child. These questions might include the child's date of birth, the courses s/he is studying, names of teachers and classmates, and similar facts which should be known to his/her parents.
	E.	Whenever a student travels from his/her school to another school for lessons or to clinics, etc., during school hours signed permission must be obtained from the parent before such trips are approved by the principal.

Dismissal Precautions

Unless the Superintendent determines that a school(s) should be closed for emergency reasons, the following guidelines should be implemented in the daily dismissal of all students.

	A.	Secondary
		Secondary students are to be dismissed at the regularly established times which are communicated to a parent(s)/guardian(s) annually. Specific exceptions to this regulation must be communicated to parents/guardians in writing prior to the occasion.
	B.	Elementary
		Elementary students are to be dismissed only at the regularly scheduled times which are communicated to a parent(s)/guardian(s) each fall in the building’s parent/guardian bulletin. Safety to and from school is a primary concern of both the home and the school. All students are expected to go directly home or to another location approved by parent/guardian.
		When a student stays after school to participate in intramurals or other voluntary activities (such as Campfire or scout groups), the student has the responsibility to inform his/her parent or guardian prior to the day of the activity.
		When a student stays after school at the request of a teacher (instructional assistance, guidance, detention, a project, a rehearsal, or to help the teacher), the teacher has the responsibility to contact the student’s parent/guardian prior to 3:00 p.m. of the day that the student remains after school and to state the approximate time that the student will be leaving school. If the teacher cannot contact the parent/guardian, the student will be sent home at the regular dismissal time. The communication with the parent/guardian of a bus student should indicate that the parent/guardian has the responsibility for providing or arranging transportation for the student.
		An entire class should not stay after dismissal time except with prior permission of the principal and notification of each parent/guardian. It is strongly recommended that consultation in relation to classroom behavior or infraction of school rules be considered on a one-to-one basis.
	C.	Burbank Early Childhood School
		Children will not be released from the Burbank Early Childhood School to anyone other than the parent, guardian, or listed individuals unless written or oral exceptions are given by the parent/guardian. In addition, children will not be released to anyone perceived by staff as incapable of safely transporting children.