Reagan Insider
August 17, 2021
Principal Message
Greetings Reagan Ray families,
In an effort to improve our dismissal system, our school has purchased a new software, School Dismissal Manager. In order for the system to function well, we need everyone's cooperation in logging in, creating their profile and using the system. Below, please find all of the necessary information to get started, which will also be sent to you on a welcome email form School Dismissal Manager. If you don't receive the welcome letter, please check your spam folder.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Welcome to School Dismissal Manager (SDM), an organized and more efficient tracking system for afternoon dismissals! Using your desktop or smartphone browser, quickly and easily update your child's dismissal instructions when they need to be changed, making it no longer necessary to call or send notes and emails to the school for dismissal changes.
The easy-to-use interface will allow you to make changes in advance or for the current day by creating “exceptions”. You can report absences, early dismissals, and schedule recurring dismissal instructions for after-school activities. When creating an exception for the current day, note that the cut-off time on regular days is 1:40 pm and on early release days is 12:10 pm. After the cut-off time you will need to call the school office to make any changes for the current day.
Reagan Elementary will begin using SDM to report daily dismissal changes on August 16, 2021.
Here are a few Fast Facts that you will need to know for getting started:
- Add the SDM App to a smartphone, tablet, or web browser. The app is compatible with Android and Apple devices. IMPORTANT: Returning parents need to UNINSTALL last year’s App before installing the new App.
- Android – Go to the Install tab from the dropdown menu within your SDM account or open a Chrome browser window, go to www.schooldismissalmanager.com, tap Add to Home Screen, and follow the onscreen instructions to install the app.
- iPhone – Go to the Install tab from the dropdown menu within your SDM account or open a Safari browser window, go to www.schooldismissalmanager.com, then tap the Share button, scroll down, and tap Add to Home Screen. Enter the name SDM and select Add to install the app.
- First Login
- Check your child's default dismissal (how your child goes home most days) and make sure it is set correctly. If changes are needed, select the green Set/View Default button above the calendar or if using the SDM app, select Default Dismissal from the menu at the top left, to set the correct dismissal. Setting a weekday default will override the main default on a specific day of the week. Always set the main default first, then set weekday defaults only as necessary.
- Check your child's default dismissal (how your child goes home most days) and make sure it is set correctly. If changes are needed, select the green Set/View Default button above the calendar or if using the SDM app, select Default Dismissal from the menu at the top left, to set the correct dismissal. Setting a weekday default will override the main default on a specific day of the week. Always set the main default first, then set weekday defaults only as necessary.
- FastLane Parent Check-in Method
- QR Code: We will be utilizing FastLane during our afternoon dismissals. You will be asked a series of questions when creating a FastLane dismissal. Select the Any Parent of … option, unless it is necessary to be specific, so that no matter which parent shows up their PIN number will be valid for pick-up (more details here). To scan the QR Code at the check-in point, make sure the SDM app has been given access to your phone’s camera before the first day of FastLane check-in. Click the blue Scan QR code button and follow the on-screen instructions to check-in. FastLane will begin on August 23, 2021, so be sure your child’s default dismissal is correct before this date.
- QR Code: We will be utilizing FastLane during our afternoon dismissals. You will be asked a series of questions when creating a FastLane dismissal. Select the Any Parent of … option, unless it is necessary to be specific, so that no matter which parent shows up their PIN number will be valid for pick-up (more details here). To scan the QR Code at the check-in point, make sure the SDM app has been given access to your phone’s camera before the first day of FastLane check-in. Click the blue Scan QR code button and follow the on-screen instructions to check-in. FastLane will begin on August 23, 2021, so be sure your child’s default dismissal is correct before this date.
- Reporting Your Child will be Absent: We will be utilizing SDM’s Absent option for parents to report their child absent. Select the day on the calendar that your child will be absent, then select Add Exception, and choose Absent from the dropdown options, filling out the necessary information. SDM does not determine if absences are excused or unexcused and you must still provide the school office with a doctor’s note when required and as specified in our school’s policies.
- Reporting Your Child will Leave Early: We will be utilizing SDM’s Leaving Early option so that parents can let the school know when their child is being picked up early. Select the day on the calendar that your child will be picked-up early, then select Add Exception, and choose Leaving Early, NOT Coming Back. You will immediately be asked if your child is coming back to school. Select Yes or No and then fill out the remaining information. Depending on whether you answered yes or no, SDM will create the appropriate dismissal exception or notification to the office once you click Submit. You must still come into the office to sign your child out and adhere to any rules or guidelines specified in our school’s policies.
- The Parent Dashboard always displays the current and following week. Days where there is no school or there is an early dismissal will be clearly marked. To opt in for text messages, click Preferences in the top menu to add your mobile number.
- Recurring Dismissal Exceptions: If your child has a temporary, recurring dismissal exception click the Recurring Dismissal Instructions located at the top of the screen and fill out the details as required. DO NOT use the Recurring Dismissal feature to put in your child's ''default'' dismissal. The difference between a Recurring Dismissal Exception and a Weekday Default Dismissal is that recurring has a start and end date because it is a temporary dismissal exception that occurs for a set period of time, while the weekday default is a default dismissal that occurs regularly on a specific day of the week for the entire school year.
- Carpools: If your child is part of a carpool or going home with a friend, you will need to set up a carline pick-up. Once the correct dismissal option is selected, you will be asked a series of questions. In the “PARENT OF” field, search for the parent driver by their student’s first or last name and select the parent who will be picking up. You may use the individual calendar days or Recurring Dismissal Instruction feature to assign your child(ren) to the parent driver that is picking up on certain days.
- Email Notifications: When receiving email notifications regarding dismissal changes or cancellations made, know that hitting Reply or Reply All on those emails does not reply to the school or person making the change. If you need to respond to a notification (i.e., to inform the school it is incorrect, provide additional details, etc.), click Help in your top menu and fill out the details to email the office.
- FAQs: As you begin to use School Dismissal Manager, if you have questions, check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) link found in the Parent login area at the top of the SDM homepage or click on Help in your top menu. Here, you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions. If your question remains unanswered after checking here, please contact the school office and we will be happy to assist you further.
If you find you need further assistance, contact Ana Mitchell by email: ana.mitchell@leanderisd.org For reasons of safety and security, SDM staff does not respond to parent requests or emails and will redirect any parent callers to the school office.
Thank you for using this tool to help us keep the dismissal process safe and orderly for all our students and staff. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Marianne Norman
Principal
Reagan Elementary - Gliding to Glory
Email: reagan@leanderisd.org
Website: reagan.leanderisd.org
Location: 1700 East Park Street, Cedar Park, TX, USA
Phone: 512-570-7200
Facebook: facebook.com/ReaganRaysCP
Twitter: @ReaganElemCP