Arrival and dismissal – New procedures for 2026–2027

If you’ve driven by Dutch Hill Elementary this summer, you may have noticed some construction around our parking lot. That construction comes with a new arrival and dismissal routine! The goal is simple: keep kids safe, reduce congestion, and keep traffic moving. Here’s what you need to know:

First: Bus if you can!
Bussing remains the most effective and efficient way to get nearly 700 students to and from Dutch Hill Elementary each day. If riding the bus works for your family, we strongly encourage it. Every student on a bus also means one less car in the arrival and dismissal line!

New traffic flow 131st IN → 131st OUT → RIGHT TURN ONLY

• ENTER the parking lot from 131st Avenue SE.
• EXIT onto 131st Avenue SE and TURN RIGHT ONLY.
• There is no parking lot entry from 84th Street SE.

Morning parent/guardian drop-off - 8:15-8:35 p.m.

Please do not arrive before 8:15 a.m. We repeat ... please don’t arrive for parent/guardian drop-off before 8:15 a.m.

Our staff need access to the parking lot and time to get to work before parent/guardian traffic begins. Arriving early won’t get you through faster. It will just help us create a traffic jam before the traffic jam. Morning parent/guardian drop-off runs from 8:15-8:35 a.m.

• Enter from 131st Avenue SE.
• Pull all the way forward into the marked drop-off zone (where the buses used to be).
• For safety, students should exit ONLY in the designated drop-off zone, directly onto the sidewalk. Please do not drop students off in other areas of the parking lot.
• Stay in your vehicle and keep the line moving by having your child ready to get out as soon as you stop.
• Exit onto 131st Avenue SE and turn right.

This is an important safety change: We know families have historically dropped students off in several different locations around campus. With our new traffic pattern, all parent drop-off must happen in the designated drop-off zone. Having one predictable place where students exit vehicles is imperative for keeping kids out of moving traffic and keeping everyone safe. The biggest ways you can help in the morning: Wait until 8:15 a.m. to arrive, use the designated drop-off zone, and pull all the way forward!

Afternoon parent/guardian pick-up - 3:15 p.m.
Parent pick-up is now drive-through, families will no longer park and enter campus for pick-up. Think airport pick-up lane: stay in the car, keep moving, and we’ll get your passengers to you! Please arrive at 3:15 p.m. Arriving early makes it difficult for us to maintain normal school and office operations. We’ll use the few minutes before dismissal to get students and staff into place so we’re ready when you arrive.

• Enter from 131st Ave SE and follow the pick-up queue.
• Display your blue Parent/Guardian Pick-Up Pass on your dashboard as you enter the parking lot. Each family will receive two passes on the first day of school.
• Stay in your vehicle. Please do not park or enter campus for regular parent/guardian pick-up.
• Staff will supervise students and connect them with their rides.
• Exit onto 131st Avenue SE and turn right.

Bus riders: Students will wait in their classrooms with their teachers until their bus arrives.

Changing your child’s daily transportation plan or picking up early?

• Please let us know by 2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and by 12:30 p.m. on Friday. With nearly 700 students getting safely on their way, last-minute transportation changes are very difficult to accommodate during dismissal.
• Email dh-attendance@sno.wednet.edu or call 360-563-4450. If the office staff does not answer your phone call, please leave a voicemail as we check this throughout the day.
• The earlier we know, the better we can make sure everyone knows exactly where your child should go!

The really short version:

• Bus if you can. It’s the most efficient option and helps reduce traffic for everyone.
• 131st IN → 131st OUT → RIGHT TURN ONLY
• Morning parent drop off: Arrive 8:15 a.m.-3:35 p.m.. Not before: staff need to park! Only drop off students in the zone.
• Afternoon parent/guardian pick up: Arrive at 3:15 p.m. Pull through, show your pass, and we’ll get your kids to you!
• Transportation change? Email dh-attendance@sno.wednet.edu or call 360-563-4450 early.

New routines take a little practice. Bring a little patience for the first few days while our students, their families, and our staff learn the new system. We’ll get faster together!