Please carefully review the important Bradford School arrival and dismissal information as outlined below. These protocols and safety precautions must be carefully followed at all times to ensure a safe arrival and dismissal.
Our primary goals are to create a safe environment for our students and the most efficient arrival and dismissal procedures. Please carefully follow all rules, regulations, and traffic patterns and use patience when dropping off and picking up your child(ren).
Thank you for your partnership in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our entire school community!
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A.) Bussers: During arrival, bussers are dropped off and enter through the front of the building (Mount Hebron Road circular driveway). Students are supervised as they disembark the buses and enter the school.
B.) Two Options for “Driving” Walkers: College Avenue is one-way going north at drop-off.
Option 1: Pull up to the car drop-off line at the College Avenue curbside cut-out.
Option 2: Park your car in a legal parking spot and walk your child to Courtyard Door F.
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Do not park on College Avenue cut-out, in either staff parking lot, in the Mount Hebron Road circular drive, or blocking a resident’s driveway, even “just for a minute.”
C.) “Walking” Walkers: Walk your child to Courtyard Door F or Door Q (in front of the building next to the Main Entrance). Doors do not open until 8:40 am and close promptly at 8:50 am. For safety reasons, you must bring your child to the school’s Main Entrance (Door A) after 8:50 am. Please allow your child to walk into the building/to the classroom independently. They can do it – really! We have plenty of “morning duty” adults posted in the hallways in the school to ensure that your child gets to his/her/their destination safely.
D.) Biking to School: The bike rack is located outside of the Music Room near College Avenue parking lot. Children should enter through Courtyard Door F. Do not forget to wear a helmet and bring a bike lock!
E.) Late Drop-Off: If you arrive after 8:50 am and do not see a staff member at the College Avenue curb cut-out, do not drop your child(ren) off there. Courtyard Door F will be locked. Use the Main Entrance (Door A) on Mount Hebron Road. Students must report to the Main Office to get a late pass.
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A.) Walkers: At dismissal at 3:05 pm, walkers are dismissed in the Courtyard. All students who are walkers must be released to the parent(s), legal guardian(s) or escort(s) designated by the parent or legal guardian (P-8601). Any parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who would like their child to walk home alone must submit written consent to Transportation in order for the child to be released on his/her/their own.
B.) Bussers: Bussers are released when they hear their bus called and walk directly to their bus. Any student taking transportation via bus will be dismissed out the front door. Supervision is provided while the children board their bus.
If a parent, legal guardian or designee is not at the bus stop, the child will be taken to the next school on the bus's daily route. Be sure that someone is waiting for the child at the bus stop when the bus arrives to avoid this hassle.
*Please note: If your child has a playdate with another child, they may not take a bus home unless it is his/her/their regular bus. If it is his/her/their bus and the stop is changing, then you will need to send a note for the bus driver/aide, and also notify the Transportation Department at 973-509-4020 Ext. 50609 or Ext. 50610. Please note that children are not allowed to switch to a different bus for any reason unless authorized by Transportation.
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III.) ❗❗❗ Important Arrival & Dismissal Safety Reminders ❗❗❗:
For the safety of all children and the entire Bradford community, please follow these guidelines during drop-off and pick up:
1.) Please note that all buses will be dropping off in the front of the building. Do not block the main driveway or interfere with the flow of traffic on Mount Hebron Road.
2.) All students being dropped off to school by a parent, guardian or caregiver will enter the car line on College Avenue via Mount Hebron Road. THIS IS A DROP OFF. Parents, please do not get out of the car! This will keep the car line moving, otherwise there will be a major traffic backup.
a.) This is a one-way street during drop off hours.
b.) Drop off begins at 8:40 am and ends at 8:50 am.
c.) Please have your child exit the car by themselves.
3.) If you do arrive late, after 8:50 am, please come to the Main Entrance (Door A) to sign in. Do not enter and/or park in the circular driveway in front of the school prior to 8:50 am. Park your car on a nearby street and walk your child(ren) to the front door.
4.) The circular driveway in front of the school must remain completely clear during both arrival and dismissal. Do not park in the front driveway prior to 8:50 am or from 2:30 pm through the end of dismissal. There will be signage posted daily to remind drivers of this protocol.
5.) Remain mindful of pedestrians and the crosswalk at all times.
6.) Always come to a complete stop when you see a bus sign.
7.) Families are strongly encouraged to use the carline during drop off as a safe option.
8.) CROSS CHILDREN ONLY AT THE CROSSWALKS.
9.) Do not leave children unsupervised at the school before arrival begins at 8:40 am.
10.) Students cannot play on the playground before or after school without adult supervision.
11.) Only allow your child(ren) to exit on the right passenger side of your vehicle directly onto the sidewalk. Whenever possible, it is strongly encouraged to drop off on the side of the street closest to the school building.
12.) If not using the carline, park your car and walk your child(ren) to the Courtyard door (Door F).
13.) You cannot park on both sides of College Avenue or any of the other streets. This creates very limited visibility for pedestrians and other drivers, school buses and emergency vehicles cannot fit through if both sides of the street have parked cars.
14.) Do not double park, idle or block traffic on College Avenue or any of the streets.
15.) No illegal parking beyond signage to corners. This is especially troublesome between Carlisle Road and Mount Hebron Road where there is no sidewalk.
16.) Carlisle Road, Amherst Place, and Hamilton Ter also do not have sidewalks. Be extra vigilant and drive slowly on these streets.
17.) Do not block driveways even slightly and/or for a very short period of time.
18.) No three point turns (K-turns) in the streets surrounding the school and/or in driveways
19.) No illegal parking in front of fire hydrants.
20.) At all times, watch out for other children and pedestrians.
21.) Do not use the school’s parking lot for drop-off or pick-up. Do not park in the staff parking lot as spaces are limited and needed for staff to park. Do not block the entrance to the staff parking lot and/or any school driveways.
22.) At all times, follow posted parking signage.
23.) Carefully monitor the speed of your vehicle. Drive below the speed limit.
*The Montclair Police Department enforces all traffic laws pertaining to buses and traffic. The Montclair Police Department Traffic Division will support as needed with monitoring traffic around Bradford, as well as to ensure that everyone is legally parking and crossing surrounding roads.
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IV.) Changes to Dismissal
Notify your child’s classroom teacher to inform them if your child is a busser or walker. Please make every effort to notify teachers of any dismissal changes prior to the date(s) of the change(s). Notification should be provided to the teacher in written form (written note or email). If a change in dismissal needs to be made for a particular day after the school day has already begun, please call the Main Office at 973-509-4155. The Main Office staff will notify the teacher prior to that day’s dismissal so that they are aware of the change.
As dismissal is a very busy time of the day, please make sure to call the Main Office prior to 2:30 pm if there are changes to your child’s dismissal plans for that day. Please also remain mindful not to send an email noting a change in dismissal for the same day to teachers/staff during school hours. Teachers and staff may not see your email during instructional hours prior to the start of that day’s dismissal. Plan in advance and send a note/email to the teacher before the school day has begun.
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V.) Signing Students Out Before the End of the School Day
When a student is to be picked up during school hours, a signed note or email from the parent, guardian or caregiver must be provided to the teacher on the morning of the day that the child is to leave early (or prior if possible). The note/email should state the reason for the student’s early release from school, as well as the authorized person(s) picking them up. The child will meet the person picking them up in the Main Office (if before regular dismissal) where they will then be signed out. Any adult that is not a part of the student's Genesis file must bring identification during the pick up. The school secretary will make a photocopy of the ID and file it in the school’s confidential records. All students being released early must be picked up from the school office before 2:45 pm and signed out before they leave. Students will not be called out of class after 2:45 pm. This is too close to dismissal and causes confusion for the classrooms. It is important that students are getting home safely and last minute changes make supervision more difficult.
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The Transportation Department handles all bus schedules and bus assignments at Central Office. All information is sent out prior to the start of the school year by that office. Students at the elementary level must live 1.25 miles or more from their assigned school to qualify for the bus. The phone number of the Transportation Department is 973-509-4020 Ext. 50609 or Ext. 50610.
In the event that you miss picking up your child when the bus brings them back from school, here is what happens: All children continue on the bus route and then are brought to the next school on the bus’s daily route. Make sure you ask your bus driver which school this is.
*For additional transportation information, please visit the MPS Transportation webpage.
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VII.) YMCA Before & After School Care Program
The YMCA operates a before and after school program daily at Bradford School. Each child is required to have a current YMCA youth membership. Both are offered at a nominal fee and financial assistance is available. Before school care for students is available at Bradford School beginning at 7:30 am and after school care is available at Bradford from 3:05 pm to 6:00 pm. Students may be dropped off and picked up at Before & After Care in the front of the building at Door P (Off of Mount Hebron Road). Parents/guardians/caregivers must provide transportation to and from school. Please do not park in the staff parking lot when dropping your child(ren) off at before or after care.
Information about the YMCA-sponsored Before & After Care Program is available in the
Bradford Main Office or by contacting the YMCA directly at 973-744-3400.
Additional information pertaining to the YMCA Before & After Care program may also be found on the YMCA of Montclair webpage.
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Dismissal on abbreviated days at Bradford School is at 1:40 pm. Please make the necessary
arrangements to pick your child up on time. The YMCA After-Care program is in operation on
these days for enrolled families.
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IX.) School Closings & Delayed Openings
Information regarding a school closing or delay can be accessed in several ways:
A delayed opening means the start of the school day is postponed for two (2) hours. School will begin two hours later at 10:50 am (Doors open at 10:40 am). Buses will be at their stops two (2) hours later than usual. School will dismiss at the usual time. If the delayed opening occurs on an early dismissal day, school will dismiss at 3:05 pm.
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Please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Frank Sedita, Principal, with any questions that you may have pertaining to these arrival and dismissal protocols. It is imperative that we work collaboratively to maintain these guidelines to keep our students safe. All traffic regulations will be enforced by the Montclair Police Department. Any unsafe driving, speeding or other disruptive incidents will be reported. As always, thank you for your partnership in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our entire school community!