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Introducing… School Dismissal Manager!
February 26, 2018
Dear Parents,
With more and more daily bus notes, pick up notes, permanent bus passes, and students going in so many different directions each day, it has become increasingly important for the BCSD elementary schools to utilize a 21st century dismissal management system that ensures all students arrive at their proper destination safely each day. Therefore, the District has decided to adopt an electronic dismissal management system, called School Dismissal Manager. PRES, piloted this program in January and all other elementary schools are starting on Monday, March 5th. This web-based program, allows you, the parent, to schedule and update your child(ren)’s dismissal plans at the click of a button on your mobile device or laptop computer. This new system will allow parents to communicate their child(ren)'s change in dismissal plans safely, easily and quickly! It is intended to replace notes and phone calls to the office since all the information you enter can be viewed by school staff electronically.
Getting Started:
VIsit the School Dismissal Manager website (www.schooldismissalmanager.com) and click on “view online demo” to learn more about the program.
On Friday, March 1, 2018, you will receive an email with instructions on how to use the system along with your personal credentials. A family username and password will be given to you at the bottom of the introductory email from School Dismissal Manager. Your child(ren)’s “default” dismissal plans (your child(ren)’s dismissal routine on most days) will be set up for you. This dismissal plan will be communicated to the school so that teachers and all staff members are aware of your child(ren)’s regular dismissal routine. Once you login, the SDM program will prompt you to change your password and then will display your child(ren)’s dismissal plans two weeks at a time.
Making Daily Changes:
Securely login to School Dismissal Manager when there’s something different in your child’s normal dismissal routine and click to change. It's that simple. Enter the daily dismissal plan for your child (known as the “exception” dismissal plan). Any daily dismissal changes must be made by 1:00 PM. No dismissal changes, unless it is an emergency, will be accepted after the 1:00 PM cut-off time. Any daily changes to your child’s dismissal plans will be automatically emailed to your child’s teacher. Also, any time a change is made a confirmation email is sent to all parents of record for that child…safety is the number one priority. In addition, you can set up dismissal changes in advance. If you know your child will be attending a program after school and will need to ride a different bus, you can set this up electronically. Playdates, doctor’s appointments, Pride, gymnastics and more… can all be arranged at the click of a button on School Dismissal Manager!
Daily Dismissal:
Each day, after 1:00 p.m., School Dismissal Manager will automatically send an up-to-the-minute dismissal report for ALL students to your child’s school. “Last minute scrambles for both parents and school staff are avoided and the safety of every student is ensured. It's simple. It's safe.” The school will communicate to bus drivers, classroom teachers, and pick-up staff any dismissal changes for the day.
Timeline – Making the Transition
January 29, 2018: Begin entering student data and setting up your account in School Dismissal Manager.
March 5, 2018: SDM will go live at school! MKES will use SDM to report daily dismissal changes to teachers, bus drivers, and pick-up staff.
March 5 - 29 , 2018: We will honor paper bus notes and pick up notes during this three-week grace period, while we are transitioning to this new system. During this time, please be sure to set up your family account in School Dismissal Manager.
April 9, 2018: Starting on Monday, April 9, 2018, School Dismissal Manager will be the ONLY system used by the school to determine your child’s daily dismissal procedures. If your family does not have access to a computer or email, we will honor paper notes on a limited basis. Please do not call the school or email your child’s teacher with any dismissal changes. All up-to-the minute reporting on dismissal changes (until 1:00 p.m.) will be generated through School Dismissal Manager.
For more information, please visit their website: www.schooldismissalmanager.com. Videos and tutorials can be found on the website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your school office staff.
We look forward to working with your family to ensure a smooth and safe dismissal for all students!
Thank you,
Inas Morsi-Hogans
Principal, Mount Kisco Elementary School
