Getting to School

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Bell Times

Morning Drop-Off

• Students may not be dropped off before 7:10 a.m. unless they are participating in Safety Patrol or Leadership Corps.
• Car Drop-Off: Use the back loop around the playground (same route as dismissal). Traffic enters at the gate between Salk and Memorial MIddle School and is one lane only. Please follow posted directions and staff instructions.
• Walking Drop-Off: Walkers will enter through the same doors as car riders by grade. Please say good-bye outside the doors — students will head inside independently.
• All students should enter through cafeteria doors.
• The back gates and doors lock at 7:30 a.m.
• Tardy students, those arriving after 7:30 a.m., must be brought to the front entrance and signed in by a parent/guardian.
• Classes begin promptly at 7:30 a.m.

Breakfast

• Breakfast will be offered in the classroom from 7:10–7:30 a.m. Students arriving after 7:30 a.m. will not receive breakfast.
• Parents/guardians are not permitted inside the building during morning drop-off. Please send hugs and waves as students exit the car or walk inside.

Dismissal Procedures

• School day ends at 2:35 p.m.
• To protect instructional time, we ask that parents do not pick up students after 2:00 p.m. whenever possible.
• From 2:00–2:35 p.m., students will be transitioning to their dismissal locations. Transportation changes cannot be made during this time.
• To make a permanent change to your child’s transportation, please visit the office and complete a new “My Way Home” form.

• Any students not picked up by 2:50 p.m. will be brought to the main office.
• Once the back gates are closed at 2:50 p.m., parents/guardians will need to come into the office to sign out their student.
• For student safety, if a child remains at school after 3:00 p.m. and no contact has been made with a parent or guardian, Campus Police may be notified, and DHS may be contacted if there are ongoing concerns regarding supervision.

Attendance Expectations

Good attendance is essential to student success!
Starting strong attendance habits in preschool sets students up for success in school, college, and careers.

"Official attendance shall be reported and recorded in 'half-day' increments. Students must be present for at least two hours to be counted as present for one-half day." - TPS Board Policy 2204: Student Attendance

Key Attendance Points:

• 16 or more absences in a school year (even excused) = chronically absent.
• Submit all doctor's notes to the attendance clerk promptly.
• Attendance is recorded accurately based on arrival and departure times.

How Families Can Support Strong Attendance:

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Prepare clothes and backpacks the night before.
• Create backup transportation plans when needed.
• Schedule medical appointments outside school hours whenever possible.
• If your child feels anxious about school, talk with their teacher or our counselor for support.

Tulsa Public Schools Attendance Policy

All absences must be explained by the parent or guardian within 48 hours of the student’s return to school.

Explanations may be provided in writing or verbally to the school office. Excused Absences (per state law) require documentation such as:

• Doctor’s note
• Court document
• Funeral program or obituary

A parent’s explanation alone will be recorded as "With Explanation (W)" but will not be classified as excused under state law.

Important:

• Explained absences are legally considered unexcused without appropriate documentation.
• Chronic absenteeism may lead to intervention by the district attendance office, and excessive unexcused absences could be reported to the District Attorney for truancy proceedings.

For more details, please review TPS Board Policy 2204: Student Attendance.