NEW SETH BOYDEN I.D PICK-UP POLICY DRAWS COMPLAINTS

A new procedure at Seth Boyden School that requires parents and guardians picking up children after school to show an I.D. has sparked opposition and complaints from many parents who say the procedure is unnecessarily cumbersome and time-consuming.

The new policy, implemented Tuesday during the first day of classes for the 2016-2017 school year, was put in place by new principal Damion Frye. 

Parents at Seth Boyden pick-up Tuesday

But several parents said they were not informed of the new restrictions prior to the first day. A letter sent home to parents about the first day on Aug. 31 made no mention of the I.D. requirement.

A notice on the Seth Boyden PTA page dated Sept. 3 appears to be the only advance notice. It states, in part:

If you are picking up your child from school in a car:
1. Pull into the circle in the front of the school.
2. A Safety Patrol member or Mr. Frye will radio for your child.
3. Your child will be sent out to the car.

If you are picking up your 1st-5th child from school by walking:
1. Please go to the main door, show your ID to the Safety Patrol member and ask for your child.
2. No child will be released to an adult without some form of identification
3. Once you give your name you can wait at the bottom of the stairs.
4. Your child will be released to you in the front of the building.

If you are picking up your Kindergarten student by walking:
1. Please go to the auditorium door, show your ID to the Safety Patrol member and ask for your child.
2. No child will be released to an adult without some form of identification!
3. Once you give your name you can wait at the bottom of the stairs.
4. Your child will be released to you in the front of the auditorium.

If your child is walking (3rd-5th grade only):
1. They will be released from doors 5 and 6.
2. The will be encouraged to keep moving away from the building.
3. By 4 PM no student who was released as a walker should be on school grounds.

If your child is in aftercare:
1. You may park your car in either lot on the sides of the building.
2. No car is permitted to drive behind the school building! There will be a barricade.
3. Please walk to the back of the school, sign out and pick up your child.

If an older sibling within the school building is picking up the student, the student will be released to the older sibling first.

There is also no information about the procedure on the Seth Boyden webpage.

Frye declined comment via email, directing inquiries to district officials who had yet to respond Wednesday morning.