Westwood Arrival and Dismissal News
Includes info on adjusted earlier arrival...read on!
Arrival Expectations
- If parking in accessible parking, then hang tags must be visible. License plates may also have this designation. Parking illegally in accessible parking carries a $100-200 fine.
- Also, don't block accessible parking spaces while in the car line. Cars will need to stop before the spots if there is not enough room along the yellow painted curb.
- Please ensure your student is ready to exit your vehicle independently. Mask on, backpack ready with water bottle, lunchbox, and/or other personal belongings already inside.
- Breakfast is served from 7:40-7:55. Please arrive early if your child intends to eat breakfast at school so they are ready to enter the building right at 7:40 and have time to eat.
Arrival and Dismissal Car Lane and Drive Through Lane Rules
- Be courteous drivers (don't block private driveways or streets). Stop before the driveway and/or street if there isn't room to pull forward.
- Parking illegally after a reminder will result in taking a license plate and reporting to Ankeny police.
- There are 3 drives into Westwood for the main entrance. The first 2 are EXIT only and the far east drive is the ENTER only area.
- Car lane may only enter from the east and turn right into the far east entrance.
- Vehicles accessing the drive through lane may turn left into the far east entrance ONLY if remaining in the drive through lane. The drive through lane does have access to guest visitor parking spaces near the front entrance.
- Under no circumstances should cars turn left into the far east entrance with the intention to then cut into the car line or across car line traffic into the far back of the parking lot.
- The bus lane is only open to parents in the morning as long as ALL drivers pull as far forward as possible before unloading. If this is an area that causes further congestion, then it may be closed to parents in the morning too.
- Car lane: Pull as far forward along the yellow painted car lane curb before unloading.
- Bus lane: Pull as far forward as possible before unloading.
- I have heard cars revving and taking off quite quickly. Safety is the #1 priority. Watch your speed!
Arrival Time Changing to 7:30!
Beginning, Monday Feb. 22 we will open our doors at 7:30 for all students.
- Westwood will direct all students arriving at 7:30 to the gym just like pre-covid years.
Westwood Morning Arrival Gym Guidelines:
- Students will sit in a line by class.
- Supervising staff will dismiss classrooms one at a time to avoid bottlenecks.
- Masks are required above the nose and mouth.
- Students will be dismissed to class at 7:40 a.m.
Dismissal Expectations
- Please be on the lookout for exiting students and supervising staff while driving in the parking lot and on the street.
- Do not walk across through the parking lot/pick up lanes. This is a major safety hazard. Instead, use cross walks to keep students safe.
- If parking in accessible parking, then hang tags must be visible. License plates may also have this designation. Parking illegally in accessible parking carries a $100-200 fine.
- Also, don't block accessible parking spaces while in the car line. Cars will need to stop before the accessible parking spots if there is not enough room along the yellow painted curb.
- Please obey the exit and entrance signs in the circle drives. Just like the morning, the first 2 drives are EXIT only and the far east drive is ENTER only.
- Watch your speed!
- Have your Dismissal number clearly visible in your window. The Dismissal Number is preferred over student name as it allows Nurse Wright to be efficient.
- Stay in the lane you entered, rather than try to merge into the other pick up line.
- If there is a driver that is a habitual offender, please be my eyes and ears. Note the license plate and email joel.martin@ankenyschools.org with the information. I will in turn identify the driver with the support of Ankeny police and make a follow up phone call.
Changing Going Home Plans?
- If you need to change your going home plan at the end of the day, then call or email the front office by 2:15 p.m.
- In addition to communicating with teachers, email and/or call the office regarding absences, late arrivals, early pick ups, etc.