McCall Elementary eNews
First Day of School!
First Day of School Tips for Success at McCall Elementary
On the FIRST day of school only, you are permitted to walk your child to class and get them settled. After the first day, we will follow our secure building procedures which do not permit parents/visitors in the classroom areas before school. We have many helping hands in the main hallway to guide your children where to go--we give hugs and high-fives along the way as well. We promise to treat them like our own!
School Zones:
Texas state law prohibits the use of cell phones in school zones--which includes our front carpool lane. Please do not be on the phone waiting in the carpool line--it leads to distracted driving, which puts all of us working the carpool lane plus your child in danger.
Crosswalks:
I do ask that you model good pedestrian safety and use the crosswalk to travel from the parking lot to the school building. While it takes a few extra steps, I want to ensure your safety while you visit McCall. We have had many close accidents of someone crossing through cars instead of using the crosswalk. It is for your safety and the safety of your child.
Visiting the Campus:
PISD is committed to your child's safety each and every day. As such, there are parameters that must be followed. McCall will be secured each and every day with visitors required to present themselves to the office. We will not be able to allow parents to walk children down the classrooms after the first day of school, as we are required to uphold the District's practice of securing the building and monitoring the visitor policy. Visits to classrooms must be prearranged with the teacher, so you will not be permitted to the classroom without the teacher's notification to the front office ahead of time. We do hope you will come to visit the campus but do want you to be mindful of these parameters. I have plenty of staff on hand inside the front doors to help get the children where they need to go with supervision--kindergartners can get into the routine faster than you may think!
Having Lunch With Your Child:
I do hope you can try to make it for lunch during the school year. Our cafeteria is very packed at lunchtime, so we do ask that the children are seated before you take a seat at the guest tables. We do allow parents to eat with their children outside at picnic tables, so please don't hesitate to come--we will find a way to seat you, as I do recognize that parents at lunch are especially prized by elementary children. We do ask that during the first couple of weeks of school you wait until you come for a lunch visit. The children are learning the procedures and we would like our practice to be perfect before you visit. Each team /teacher will let you know when they are ready for lunch visitors as each grade is a bit different developmentally.
Hours and Supervision:
McCall opens daily for breakfast at 7:00 AM, with staff in place to supervise your children. Children are able to eat breakfast in the café and then move to the gym until 7:30 AM. Any children who arrive early and do not eat breakfast will be supervised in the gym until they are released to classrooms at 7:30 AM. Our dismissal is at 2:45 PM each day.
Security/Emergencies:
A hard copy letter detailing communication during emergencies will be sent home later this week in your child's take home folder--please carefully read and review that letter. I take the responsibility of keeping your children safe in your absence very seriously.
Campus Communication:
We send home information in hardcopy on Thursdays that pertain to the campus at large. Please check your child's backpack and keep up to date with that information. Our eNews channel (via email) is where you will get monthly school updates or any special announcements. We utilize the phone message system for emergencies, and quick reminders that need parent action. All communication is reposted on social media channels as appropriate.
There is a lengthy section below dedicated to just car arrival and dismissal to the campus during these high volume times with visual maps attached. Please review the information carefully.
I am so proud to be the principal of this FANTASTIC school. It's going to be a wonderful school year. I value your commitment to us and your partnership.
See you on Monday!
Stacy Kimbriel
Principal
McCall Elementary School
@mccallcolts
Facebook.com/mccallcolts
Arrival and Dismissal to McCall via Car
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures at McCall Elementary
Goal: Our goal is to provide for the safety of all of our school community during high car volume times to our campus--arrival to school and dismissal from school. In order to meet our goal, we have consulted with safety experts in our city and our district to ensure that these practices are sound and in the best interests of all concerned parties of our community. We know that you value these safety measures and will join us in meeting this goal. Our parents can further help us keep everyone safe by being attentive in the school zones and exercising patience when arriving to McCall. We ask that if you witness a driver who is breaking a law to contact the Plano Police Department at 972-941-5483.
ARRIVAL TO MCCALL
Dropping and picking up by cars occurs in our front driveway. Our traffic flows into the driveway at the northern entrance to our school and exits out of the southern entrance to the school--the driveway is one-way.
It is safest for all drivers to utilize the carpool lane for arrival. If you need to conduct business in the front office, you may park and walk with your child to the front office to speak with our office personnel.
The front parking lot is for PARKING only; it is not a drop-off spot for children. If you park, you are responsible for escorting your child all the way across the crosswalk. Our duty staff will only stop the traffic at the crosswalk.
Please drive as far south towards the flagpole as possible. We will assist children out of the cars once the line has moved forward.
Please do not block the front crosswalk with your car.
The best time to drop off students is early to avoid traffic. Staff is present in the building beginning at 7:00 AM to monitor students who arrive before 7:30 AM (when they go to class). Staff is on duty for carpool assistance beginning at 7:15 AM and ending at 7:43 AM each morning.
Please do not leave your car unattended in the carpool lane.
Cell phone usage in school zones is illegal--our carpool lane is part of the school zone area.
DISMISSAL FROM MCCALL Dropping and picking up by cars occurs in our front driveway. Our traffic flows into the driveway at the northern entrance to our school and exits out of the southern entrance to the school--the driveway is one-way. It is safest for all drivers to utilize the carpool lane for dismissal. The front parking lot is for PARKING only; it is not a pick up spot for children. If you park, you are responsible for escorting your child all the way across the crosswalk. Our duty staff will only stop the traffic at the crosswalk. Display your carpool tag in your front window. One of our staff will call for your child when you turn into the driveway. From that point, please drive as far south towards the flagpole as possible. We will assist children into your car once cars have pulled forward. Please do not block the front crosswalk with your car. Carpool normally takes about 15 minutes--we begin calling students at 2:45 PM and do so continuously until 3 PM. After 3 PM, you will need to park and check your child out through the front office. Please do not leave your car unattended in the carpool lane. Cell phone usage in school zones is illegal--our carpool lane is part of the school zone area.