Commack School District: Bus Strike Transportation Plan

Family & Parenting, School & Education, Local News, Press Releases

By Published: September 09 2015

LongIsland.com

As previously communicated, there is a labor dispute between our largest bus company and its union. This dispute could lead to a strike as early as Thursday, September 10, 2015.

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Commack, NY - September 8, 2015 - As previously communicated, there is a labor dispute between our largest bus company and its union.  This dispute could lead to a strike as early as Thursday, September 10, 2015.  Therefore, in the event of said strike which would leave the District with NO BUSING*, we have prepared arrival and dismissal procedures that would allow for parent drop off and pick up of every child.  Please see below for specific directions for your school.  

Please be aware of the following:

  • The Suffolk County Police Department and our security team will be on site to assist with the traffic flow;
  • Children will not be penalized for late arrivals. We want your children to be safe and happy, with no undue stress;
  • Staff will be on hand to supervise and monitor students who arrive early or depart late; and
  • There is nothing more important to us than the health and welfare of our students and staff.

In addition, it would be very helpful if parents would:

  • Work with other parents to schedule carpools to alleviate congestion at arrival and dismissal times; and
  • Notify the school as soon as possible if you will arrive more than 30 minutes after the designated dismissal time.

In closing, as a community Commack is known to come together during difficult times to help one another. In the event of a strike, we know parents will help others where they can and all drivers will be particularly careful and patient when driving near and around our schools and our children.  It is important to note that without buses, parents should expect to encounter nearly 200 - 300 cars picking up students at our primary schools; 400-600 at our intermediate and between 1,500 and 2,000 at our secondary schools - please drive carefully!

* A very small number of bus runs will not be impacted. Those students will receive a phone call.

COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL

ARRIVAL

  • Staff will be in place beginning at 6:30 a.m. for student arrival.
  • Parents may drop off of their child(ren) from 6:30 a.m. in both the lower bus circle in front of the high school and the Townline Road parking lot (by the cafeteria).
  • Students will be supervised by adults in large venues (Auditorium and Cafeteria) until the start of the school day (7:25 a.m.).
  • No student will be penalized for late arrival.
  • Student Senior drivers should park in their assigned lot (near the E-wing).

DISMISSAL

  • 11th grade students (not participating in after school activities) will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m. in the lower bus circle in front of the high school.
  • 12th grade students (not participating in after school activities) will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m. in the Townline Road parking lot (by the cafeteria).
  • Student Senior drivers will be dismissed to the Senior Parking Lot.
  • 11th and 12th grade students participating in after school activities are to remain in their class until their regular 2:25 p.m. dismissal.
  • 9th grade students will be dismissed at regular time (2:25 p.m.) to the lower bus circle or after school activities.
  • 10th grade students will be dismissed at regular time (2:25 p.m.) on Townline Road parking lot for after school activities.

COMMACK MIDDLE SCHOOL

ARRIVAL

  • Staff will be in place beginning at 6:45 a.m. for student arrival.
  • Parents may drop off of their child(ren) from 6:45 a.m.
  • Last names beginning with A- D drop off in front of school
  • Last names beginning with E- Z drop off in back of school
  • Students will be supervised by adults in large venues (Auditorium and Cafeterias) until the start of the school day (7:45 a.m.).
  • No student will be penalized for late arrival.

DISMISSAL

  • 6th grades students will be released beginning at 2:15 p.m.
  • Last names beginning with A- D pick up in front of school
  • Last names beginning with E- Z pick up in in back of school
  • 6th grade students riding or carpooling with 7th or 8th grade students will be supervised by adults until the 7th and 8th grade dismissal at 2:42 p.m.
  • 7th and 8th grade students will be released at regular dismissal time (2:42 p.m.)
  • Last names beginning with A- D pick up in front of school
  • Last names beginning with E-Z pick up in in back of school

BURR

ARRIVAL

  • Staff will be in place beginning at 8:40 a.m. for student arrival.
  • Parents may drop off of their child(ren) from 8:40 am in both the front circle and side parking lot
  • Adults will be supervising these areas.
  • Students will be supervised by adults in large venues (Auditorium and Cafeteria) until the start of the school day (9:15 am).
  • No student will be penalized for late arrival. 

DISMISSAL

  • Last names beginning with A- K will be released at 2:30pm
  • Last names beginning with L- O will be released at 2:50pm
  • Last names beginning with P- Z will be released at 3:10pm
  • At the assigned dismissal time,  Parents/guardians will be directed to their child’s classroom
  • Students carpooling with families of a different last name will wait, if necessary, in their classroom with their teacher.
  • If you are on a student Emergency Contact Card, you will be able to sign that student out of school.  If you are not listed on a students’ Emergency Contact Card, but you have a signed letter from the child’s parent stating you are carpooling, you will be allowed to sign the student out.  A NEW SIGNED PERMISSION LETTER IS NECESSARY EACH DAY.
  • ALL ADULTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PHOTO ID TO SIGN OUT A STUDENT

SAWMILL

ARRIVAL

  • Staff will be in place beginning at 8:20 a.m. for student arrival.
  • Parents may drop off of their child(ren) from 8:20 a.m. in both the front circle and side parking lot.
  • Staff will be supervising these areas.
  • Students will supervised by adults in large venues (Auditorium and Cafeteria) until the start of the school day (8:50 a.m.).
  • No student will be penalized for late arrival. 

DISMISSAL

  • Last names beginning with A- K will be released at 2:15 p.m.
  • Last names beginning with L- O will be released at 2:35 p.m.
  • Last names beginning with P- Z will be released at 2:55 p.m.
  • At the assigned dismissal time, parents/guardians will be directed to their child’s classroom.
  • Students carpooling with families of a different last name will wait, if necessary, in their classroom with their teacher.
  • If you are on a student Emergency Contact Card, you will be able to sign that student out of school.If you are not listed on a students’ Emergency Contact Card, but you have a signed letter from the child’s parent stating you are carpooling, you will be allowed to sign the student out.A NEW SIGNED PERMISSION LETTER IS NECESSARY EACH DAY.
  • ALL ADULTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PHOTO ID TO SIGN OUT A STUDENT.

INDIAN HOLLOW & NORTH RIDGE

ARRIVAL

  • Students may be dropped off beginning at 9:10 a.m. in the front circle. Parents will drive in a single lane through the bus circle. Adults will be supervising these areas.
  • Students will be escorted to the Auditorium or Cafeteria and will be supervised by adults until the start of the school day.

DISMISSAL

  • All students will be dismissed from their classroom beginning at 3:20 p.m.
  • Parents should enter the building and will be directed to their children's classrooms.
  • If you are on a student Emergency Contact Card, you will be able to sign that student out of school. If you are not listed on a students’ Emergency Contact Card, but you have a signed letter from the child’s parent stating you are carpooling, you will be allowed to sign the student out. A NEW SIGNED PERMISSION LETTER IS NECESSARY EACH DAY.
  • ALL ADULTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PHOTO ID TO SIGN OUT A STUDENT.

WOOD PARK & ROLLING HILLS

ARRIVAL

  • Students may be dropped off beginning at 8:55 a.m. in the front circle. Parents will drive in a single lane through the bus circle. Adults will be supervising these areas.
  • Students will be escorted to the Auditorium or Cafeteria and will be supervised by adults until the start of the school day.

DISMISSAL

  • All students will be dismissed from their classroom beginning at 3:05 p.m.
  • Parents should enter the building and will be directed to their children's classrooms.
  • If you are on a student Emergency Contact Card, you will be able to sign that student out of school. If you are not listed on a student's Emergency Contact Card, but you have a signed letter from the child’s parent stating you are carpooling, you will be allowed to sign the student out.A NEW SIGNED PERMISSION LETTER IS NECESSARY EACH DAY.
  • ALL ADULTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PHOTO ID TO SIGN OUT A STUDENT.