General Dismissal Policy

A child is not dismissed from school until his/her bus is called or until car riders or walkers are specifically called for dismissal.

We ask the parents of car riders stay in the parking lot and not come into the office to pick up their children. If a child has the parent/guardian’s permission to ride with another adult, a note granting such permission must be given to the child’s teacher.

If a child who usually rides the bus wishes to walk or ride in a car, the parent/guardian must write a note granting such permission.

Chaperones for field trips and school activities such as field day may indicate that their child/children will be car riders and write a note accordingly. Children will be dismissed from their homerooms at the normal dismissal time.

No child will be kept after school without a parent’s knowledge and consent.

Once students are dismissed, they should not remain on school grounds unless participating in a school/parish sponsored activity.

Bus Transportation

For 2009-2010, bus transportation is provided for those who are eligible in Cincinnati Public, Princeton, and Winton Woods, School Districts. Bus stops are determined by the public school district. Children will only be picked up or dropped off at official stops.

It is the policy of public school transportation departments that students may only ride buses within the district of residence.

Lists are kept on file at the Public Boards of Education of all students eligible for bus service in the district. SJOV will notify the public school district of withdrawals, new enrollments, or changes of address.

All public school districts will notify families of transportation. This information is not provided by St. James of the Valley School.

If no one is at home when a child is dropped off after school, the child will be taken to the district bus compound. If no parent can be reached, for safety reasons the child will be taken to the local police station.

Bus transportation for half-day kindergartners is not guaranteed by public school districts serving SJOV.

Walkers

Walkers must observe safety regulations. Students are required to follow the directions of the school staff member.

Car Riders and Car Pools

For the safety of our children, please follow these procedures: Arrival: Enter school grounds via West Hill Lane. Please stay to the west side of the orange barrels. Do not exit via West Hill Lane. Go completely through the parking lot and exit via Linden Lane. Students should report to the gym and will be supervised from 7:30 a.m.-7:45 a.m. Students will not be supervised before this time.

Afternoon Dismissal for K: Parents of half-day Kindergarten students are asked to drive in front of the primary door and wait in their cars until the students are dismissed. A note must be sent to the teacher if someone other than the parent will be picking up the child.

Afternoon Dismissal for Grades 1-8: Dismissal begins at 2:50 p.m. Students are supervised until 3:15 p.m., at which time they will be sent to the After-School Care Program to await their ride. A fee will be charged for this service. Students are dismissed in the following order: After-School Care, Bus Riders, Car Riders/Walkers.

Dismissal to After-School Activities: All coaches, scout leaders, and other adult organizers should inform the office staff of the group they will be picking up. They will be dismissed after Car Riders/Walkers.

School Closings Before the Start of the School Day

When inclement weather threatens, please listen to the radio, watch television, or check the website. Any announcements concerning SJOV will be made individually.

SJOV will announce a two-hour school delay if safety dictates and/or the majority of our students would be affected by bus delays.

If the weather continues to deteriorate, it is possible that the delay will be changed into a school closing.

If your child’s bus district is not on a delay but SJOV is, you are responsible for providing transportation to school. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD ON THE BUS, as there will not be anyone here at school. If you are unable to arrange transportation, your child will be marked absent. (We must have an accurate count of students in the building for safety reasons.) This would, however, be considered an excused absence.

If SJOV is not delayed, but your bus district is delayed, school will begin at 7:45. You may either transport your child/children or send them on the delayed bus. In this instance, students will not be counted tardy, but they will be expected to make up missed work.

SJOV will announce a school closing if safety dictates and/or the majority of our students would be without bus transportation. SJOV School closings will be announced on the radio and television stations and will be sent out via the School Announcement System.

Emergency Early Dismissal

Students at SJOV live in various school districts around the area. On rare occasions, one or more of the school districts may decide to dismiss students before the end of the regular school day due to inclement weather. SJOV has no input and is not consulted in that decision. When a school district decides upon an early dismissal, that school district automatically sends its buses to pick up SJOV students from that school district.

When a school district decides to have an early dismissal because of inclement weather, that decision is broadcast on the radio, television, and we will inform via the School Announcement System. On days when it appears possible that inclement weather may cause an early dismissal, parents must listen to the radio and television for information about the specific school district in which they reside. If the parents are unable to listen to the radio and television, they should see to it that their designated emergency backup person(s) listen(s) to the radio and television.

 If another type of emergency situation were to arise (i.e., fire, tornado, bomb threat, gas leak, etc.), SJOV will seek and follow the advice of safety personnel such as the police and fire department. Parents must ensure that their home and business telephone numbers as provided to SJOV are kept current. Failure to provide with new or changed telephone numbers makes it impossible for SJOV to notify you in case of an emergency.