school pickup and drop off etiquette

Ok. So I know that the school year is ending or has already ended for many of you, so let this post be a guide for next school year if your child is a car rider. I'm going to say that I am THRILLED the year is ending. I need a couple months of recuperation from dealing with the idiots on the road today, especially when it comes time to drop off and pick up of our children from school.

I know that all schools are different, have different pick up and drop off areas and may or may not have parking spaces in a designated area. Before I get into my rant, let me tell you a little about my son’s designated area. When you pull in the school there’s a small parking lot for staff and visitors. If you keep driving, there’s a loop that circles around to the side of the school where parents drop off or pick up their children. There are cones outlining a one lane section to drive THROUGH. It’s just that simple. You drive around the loop, drop off your kid and keep moving. In the afternoons we line up in the loop and pick our kids up as they are released and we keep moving. Plain and simple. Sounds easy enough right? Not for some people apparently, so let’s get started.

Drop Off Etiquette:

1. Our school day begins at 7:50. This means they want the kids in their classrooms by this time, not getting out of the car or walking into the school at this time. We’ve been late, several times this year but nothing that would cause a letter or phone call home. However, this doesn’t stop me from giving my child a kiss goodbye in the morning. Yes. He’s 12. However, in the world we live in lately, I don’t know if this might be the last time I see him or he sees me so we’re sure to always say I love you and give a quick peck on the cheek before parting. We do not however, take 20 minutes to say goodbye. So if I’m taking 2 seconds to say goodbye to my son and you’re behind me, do NOT beep your horn at me to move, especially if your child isn’t even all the way out of your vehicle. If I’m late, then you’re super late which means you didn’t leave early enough and did this to yourself.

2. With one in place, let me also say, there is no need to take 20 minutes to say goodbye. As you’re pulling up, do what we do. Say goodbye and give loving words as you’re coming to a stop. Give a quick peck on the cheek as they’re opening the door. Push them out and keep on rolling. Ok, don’t actually push them out but you know what I mean.

3. To prevent delay in the drop off area, have your and your childs’ shit together. Either before you go to bed the night before, or before you leave your house in the morning, have their bag packed, papers signed, homework completed and so forth BEFORE you get to school. Have your childs bag in their lap when you pull in so your kid can unbuckle, jump out and head into the school.

4. You do not need to pull up and PARK in the drop off lane and walk your child in. It’s about 10 feet from your car to the school door. I promise they can walk it alone. In elementary schools there are usually staff members outside so your little one WILL be safe. If you absolutely have to go into the school, then park in the PARKING LOT. Do not block the area where everyone else has to drive through.

5. With all that being said, I can make exceptions for kids with special needs. However, if it’s a wheelchair concern, no offense but you can still park in the parking lot. There’s a very nice flat smooth concrete walkway all the way from the parking lot to the school entrance.

Pick up Etiquette:

1. Be patient. We’re all there to pick up our children and we cannot make administration let them out any faster just because your child got out of the building before mine. They have a system in which grade levels are let out in a certain order. There’s nothing that you or I can do about it but sit and wait on our kid to get out. No need to get angry with one another.

2. Get. Off. Your. Phone. Seriously. Please. Ok, if you got there 30 minutes early, I understand spending some of that time on your phone. However, if the line is moving, it’s time to put the phone down and pay attention. First of all, there are moving cars that you could hit or could hit you. Secondly, in my son’s case, 6^th grade is still elementary school (they’re small schools) so there are lots of little kids out there. Yes, there are staff members watching the children, but we all know how quickly children can get away. If you’re not paying attention, you could smush someone’s child, or even your own.

3. If your child is old enough to be in the school, they can open a door and buckle a seatbelt. There is absolutely no reason for you to get out, bring their book bag around to the other side of the vehicle and then walk back around to get them in. All unnecessary. They can get themselves and their bag in the vehicle and buckle their own seatbelt.

Please people. It really is that simple. Seriously. Things would move a lot smoother and a lot more quickly if we just follow these simple rules.