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Buses, Drop-Off & Pick-Up

a line of yellow school buses on both sides of the photo.

Busing

Busing is provided by Lakeside Transportation free of charge to students who live further than 1.5 miles from school or must cross a street that the state has identified as hazardous. Busing routes are posted in student PowerSchool accounts shortly before the school year begins.

Students who do not qualify for free busing may purchase busing for the year, payable in advance. Information on the Pay-To-Ride Program can be found on the Student Form page or here.

If you have questions regarding busing, please contact the school office. 

General Reminders

  • No parking on 7th Avenue
  • Bus Only Zone: The semi-circle drive at the front of the school is for buses only during arrival and dismissal.
  • Important Traffic Note: When exiting the staff parking lot after drop-off, you must turn right. Left turns are not permitted to maintain traffic flow and reduce congestion.
  • Please adhere to the stop sign at the exit of the staff parking lot
  • Carline signs will be distributed during Supply Drop-Off to the eldest child. If you are unable to attend, your child will bring their sign home on the first day of school.
  • We kindly as that families avoid entering the parking lot and forming a carline before 7:45 a.m. This helps ensure our staff can park and be ready to welcome students.

Late Arrival, Tardiness

Students who arrive later than 8:05 a.m. should enter through the front office doors. A student is considered tardy if he/she arrives after the bell at 8:15 a.m.  Students who are tardy should be signed in for the day by an adult in the school office. Optimally, all students are in the classroom, with coats and backpacks put away, sitting at their desk and beginning their morning work by 8:15 a.m. Students miss important information when they are tardy.

Drop-Off

Bus Only Zone: The semi-circle drive at the front of the school is for buses only.

Car Drop-Off:

  • Families using the carline must enter the staff parking lot and follow the arrows painted on the pavement. Cars will be double-stacked and alternate as they turn in the lot near the gym.
  • As you approach the sidewalk, please pull all the way forward to the designated cone so that more cars can fit behind you.
  • Students should have their belongings ready and be prepared to exit the car quickly and independently. There will be supervisors available to assist students as they exit the vehicle.
  • For safety and efficiency, drivers must remain in their vehicles. Exiting your car delays the carline and creates safety concerns.
  • If you arrive at the carline in the back of the school and see that no staff members are present, do not leave your child unattended. In this case, you must proceed to the front entrance to complete the drop-off and sign-in process.

Walkers: Students walking to school should continue using the sidewalk along the side of the school, proceeding to the blacktop area as they have in the past.

  • Please note: Except for the first day of school, parents/guardians are not permitted in this area before school begins.

Pick-Up

  • Kindergarten walkers only: Kindergarten walkers will exit through Door 16 at 2:40 p.m. The slightly early release time allows parents/guardians sufficient time to walk to the blacktop/playground area to meet a walker in Grades 1-5. Door 16 is located near the staff parking lot and is clearly marked from the outside.

 

  • Walkers/Bikers: Students who walk or bike home will exit the building through Doors 5, 6, or 10, and head to the blacktop area at the back of the school.  If you are picking up your child by foot, you may meet them in this area.
     
  • Champions After-School Program: Students enrolled in Champions will go directly to the cafeteria, where the program begins promptly after dismissal.
     
  • Bus Riders: Students riding the bus will exit through the main entrance and locate their assigned bus.  Supervisors will be stationed at each bus, holding signs and assisting students in getting to the correct location.
     
  • Carline Pick-Up:
    • Enter the staff parking lot and follow the arrows painted on the pavement.  Cars will be double-stacked and alternate as they turn in the lot near the gym.
    • As you approach the sidewalk, please pull forward to allow more cars to fit behind you.
    • Be sure to display your car sign clearly on your windshield so staff can efficiently call your child.
    • For safety and efficiency, drivers must remain in their vehicles. Exiting your car causes delays and poses safety concerns.

Parking During School Hours

Unfortunately, parking space is at a premium at Copeland. Parking on the circle is permitted for short time periods, and is designated for people with special physical needs. Parents are encouraged to park on 7th Avenue or approved areas on local streets. Parents should not park or enter the staff parking lot, as this is not designed to be a “turn around” area and will add to congestion.