Dear VTT Families (and Caregivers), We have a new system to drop off and pick up students this year in light of social distancing guidelines. Please take the time to carefully read the procedures outlined below. [Remember: If you have children in early childhood and/or SK AND older children in grades one through seven, the older siblings will be dropped off and picked up in the 26th Avenue drive through with their Rishonim, JK and/or SK siblings.] All parents (and caregivers) should have the PikMyKid app downloaded on their smartphones by now (no matter a student’s method of transportation upon dismissal).

Morning Drop Off

Morning drop off will occur between 8:15 and 8:35 a.m. for all students. All classes will begin promptly at 8:35 a.m.  Rishonim, JK & SK families should drop off their children (and older siblings) in the drive through in front of the school on West 26th Avenue. Families must enter the 26th Avenue drive through from Oak Street ONLY; proceed EAST along 26th Avenue and make a right into the drive through. Upon exiting the 26th Avenue drive through, vehicles must turn right and continue heading east along 26th Avenue. Families will be able to drop off older children at this entrance if they are accompanied by a sibling in Rishonim, JK or SK. Grades 1-7 families (with no siblings in Rishonim, JK or SK) will drop off their children in the VTT parkade. To ensure a smooth, one-way traffic flow, cars must enter through the 28th Avenue entrance (next to Congregation Beth Israel) and turn left into the middle gate.

Once students are safely dropped off, vehicles will exit via the north gate; turn left and then turn right ONLY onto 26th Avenue. Staff will be present to direct families and traffic. Click on thumbnail below to see a demonstration of where/how to enter and exit the parkade.

Walkers/Cyclists are to enter via the 26th Avenue entrance. The bike rack in front of the school has been reconfigured to accommodate more bicycles. There is another bike rack inside the playground (which can be accessed by entering VTT via 26th Avenue and walking through to the playground). We strongly encourage our community to walk/cycle if possible to reduce congestion, reduce carbon emissions and promote exercise. Should traffic become a problem in the mornings, VTT will resort to staggered drop off times to ease congestion and promote safety.

Afternoon Pick Up

VTT will be staggering afternoon pick up times to allow for a smoother flow of traffic. Dismissal will occur between 2:55 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and times will rotate for families each term.

For Term 1, families are asked to pick up their children (in all divisions) at the following times: A to H (child’s) last name: from 2:55 p.m. I to P (child’s) last names: from 3:05 p.m. Q to Z (child’s) last names: from 3:15 p.m.

Please make every effort to pick up your child(ren) at your appointed time to simplify and expedite afternoon pick up. However, owing to everyone’s unique schedules, we realize that some families may have to arrive at one of the other designated times. Please only switch your time if it is absolutely necessary. Each family will announce their arrival by selecting the green announce button on the PikMyKid app on their mobile phone (click here for the user guide) as they approach the VTT campus. Teachers will receive this notification and then send the student to their assigned location (either 26th Avenue drive through or VTT parkade) for pick up. This location is determined by the age of the youngest sibling in a family. If your child is a JCC Bus Rider, the school will ensure that they are brought or dismissed to the bus. VTT will follow up with bus families separately. Rishonim, JK & SK students (and their older siblings) will be picked up in the 26th Avenue drive through in front of the school. *If your child is in Rishonim or JK and will be staying past 3:30 p.m., then teachers will bring your children to the 26th Avenue drive through in half hour intervals, either at 4:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. Please still announce yourself through the PikMyKid app. Teachers are unable to bring students at other times than those stated (3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 p.m.) Grades 1-7 students will be picked up from the VTT parkade. (Unless you also have children in Rishonim, JK and SK, then you will use the 26th Avenue drive through.) Click on the thumbnail below to understand how to pick up students from the VTT parkade:

Parents coming on foot or bicycle to pick up their children will also use the PikMyKid app to “ping” their arrival. Foot and bicycle traffic must pick up from the gate on Oak and 27th Avenue. (Independent) Walkers/Cyclists will be dismissed at 3:20 p.m. (Parents should email [email protected] if an alternate dismissal time is required.) Students leaving VTT on their own at the end of the day must have a parent sign a “Permission to Walk Home Unaccompanied” waiver, which can be downloaded here. Please email your signed waiver to [email protected] Last June, when about 50% of our students returned to school part-time, we piloted an end of day pick up program by assigning numbers to each family/vehicle and using a walkie talkie system to send students to the parkade. By transitioning to PikMyKid, we endeavor to make this process even more efficient and seamless. Modifications will be made as we discover what works well and what needs improvement. Families are asked to discard their old numbers so as not to cause confusion. New car tags will be given to all families during the first week of school. These will be sent home with each student (one tag per student). We appreciate everyone’s patience and participation in this new initiative. Please make sure you have downloaded, installed and set up PikMyKid before your child’s first day of school.