Skip Navigation

Carpool

Procedures and Safety Expectations 

for Arrival and Dismissal 
 

At St. Michael Catholic School, the safety and well-being of our students is a top priority. To ensure a smooth and secure experience for all, a designated traffic pattern and arrival/dismissal procedures have been established. We ask all families to follow the guidelines below with care, patience, and cooperation. Please review this campus diagram indicating the flow of the traffic pattern.   

General Traffic Pattern
 

  • All cars must enter campus through the parking lot entrance closest to the Weatherstone neighborhood.
  • Vehicles may not enter from in front of the Church and attempt to cut into the carpool line.
  • All cars must exit through the main drive in front of the Church. A right turn is only permitted onto High House Road.
  • Cars should never exit via the Weatherstone side of campus during carpool hours.
     

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Locations
 

There are two designated carpool zones:

  1. Weatherstone circle drive – Located near the doors on the Weatherstone side.
  2. Office Side – Located along the front of the school building and Archangel Hall.
  • Families will be assigned to one of the two carpool zones and should use their designated area throughout the year unless a change is requested and approved by the Administration.
  • Upon entering campus:
    • Families assigned to Weatherstone should stay to the right.
    • Families assigned to Office side should stay to the left.


Carpool Placards
 

  • Each family receives a carpool placard at Back-to-School Night in August.
  • The placard must be clearly displayed on the front dashboard during afternoon pick-up.
  • If someone other than a parent is picking up a child, please ensure they have the placard and are familiar with the procedures.
     

Arrival and Dismissal Expectations
 

  • Morning Carpool: Parents must remain in their vehicles, drive slowly, and follow all staff directions. No student should be dropped off in non-designated areas.
  • Dismissal: Students will be released in an orderly and supervised manner. Students will only enter and exit from the passenger side of the vehicle.
  • Cell Phone Use: Parents must not use cell phones (talking, texting, browsing) while in the active carpool line.
  • Crosswalk Safety: Parents who must park and walk their children must use the crosswalk. Students may not walk to a parked car unless escorted by a teacher or administrator.
     

Walkers
 

  • Families who live within one mile of the school may apply for a Walker Pass and email schooloffice@stmcary.org.
  • This pass allows a student to walk home to the Weatherstone neighborhood at dismissal.


Timing and Late Pick-Up
 

  • Do not line up in the carpool loading zone before 2:30 p.m.
  • Students are dismissed at 3:00 p.m.
  • All vehicles should arrive by 3:20 p.m. After that time, students will wait with the office staff, as After School Care has limited capacity for unplanned supervision.
     

Early Dismissals
 

  • Students should be picked up before 2:30 p.m. for doctor’s appointments or other exceptional circumstances.
  • After 2:30 p.m., we begin school-wide dismissal procedures and may be unable to accommodate individual early dismissals in a timely manner.
  • Sports team dismissals will be coordinated directly with coaches.
     

After-School Events and Performances
 

  • Students should not be dismissed early following concerts, classroom parties, or events.
    Early dismissals create disruptions and increase congestion in the office area.
  • After events, parents may:
    • Use the carpool line as normal, or
    • Wait by the Office-side picnic tables for their child(ren) at regular dismissal time.
  • If this option is chosen, please notify children and/or teachers in advance. Students will be informed during announcements to proceed to the picnic tables at 3:00 p.m.
     

Changes in Dismissal Plans
 

  • All changes in a student’s dismissal routine must be communicated in writing to the School Office and homeroom teacher.
  • It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure proper arrangements for after-school transportation or care.
     

A Spirit of Cooperation


We ask all families to support these procedures in a spirit of Christ-like kindness, respect, patience, humility, and cooperation. By doing so, we ensure a calm, safe, and smooth carpool experience for everyone in our school community.