School Hours: 7:45AM–2:15PM
The diagram below is designed to help families navigate the arrival and dismissal procedures at George Watts Montessori.
To support the safe arrival and departure of students utilizing school bus transportation, we ask that parents and caregivers avoid Watts Street in front of the school between Dacian Ave and Urban St. This block is noted on the map where the school bus is.
Does your child walk to and from school independently? In order to be dismissed without a parent or bus pick-up, students must have a signed self-dismiss student permission slip on file.
Morning Arrival
Students arriving by car, bike, or on foot are welcomed into the school building from 7:25 until 7:45AM through our three available entrances:
Bike riders and students walking to school independently enter through the door near the bike racks facing Watts St. (“the bus door”).
Car riders enter through the double doors at the car rider circle on Urban Ave–students who arrive by car will be welcomed car-side from the passenger side of the car only. Student safety is paramount, and crossing between cars in line creates a dangerous situation. If your child needs to exit the car from the driver side, please park and walk your child up to the walk-up door.
Families arriving on foot use the back door off Urban Ave facing the playground. If you are parking and walking up, this is also where you will enter, but we do ask that you utilize the crosswalks to ensure safety with the many cars utilizing our car loop.
Please note, beginning the second week of school, we will ask families to help support independence by saying goodbye outside of our building.
Students who arrive after 7:45AM will need a parent/guardian to park and escort them to the office to sign in, as instruction begins promptly at 7:45AM.
DPS offers FREE breakfast and lunch for all students through the community eligibility program. Our full cafeteria breakfast line remains open until 7:40AM for students to enjoy breakfast prior to the start of instruction. If your child wishes to eat breakfast at school, we encourage you to arrive no later than 7:35 to allow them time to get to the cafeteria and then to class. Students who arrive after the cafeteria closes have the option of cold breakfast in the office.
Afternoon Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 2:15PM. After the first week or two of school, we are usually finished with dismissal by 2:30PM. Please be sure to pick your child up by that time. On the rare occasion a student is not picked up by 2:30, they can be signed out from the main office.
Cars should line up according to the arrow in the diagram above, eastbound on Urban Ave coming from Buchanan. Please do not arrive early as it causes significant traffic issues around the area, since George Watts Montessori does not have a long drive for car line.
Our crossing guard, Mr. Charles works diligently to ensure safety of those crossing the street while also ensuring our car line moves forward as space is available. Please help him by remaining alert to his instructions.
Students will be escorted to their car by a staff member on the passenger side only. Student safety is paramount, and crossing between cars in line creates a dangerous situation. If your child needs to enter the car from the driver side, please park and pick your child up from the walk-up door.
Students who walk or bike home independently need to have a signed “self-dismiss” form on file in the front office. This form must be completed annually and is available digitally to print and sign, or a paper copy can be obtained from your child’s teacher or the main office.
Students being picked up on foot can be picked up at the walker door (behind the school off of Urban Ave facing the playground). If you are parking and walking up, this is also where you will come, but we do ask that you utilize the crosswalks to ensure safety with the many cars utilizing our car loop.
Some Helpful Hints
Please work with your child to unbuckle and buckle independently. We will ask that those using the car line remain in their vehicle. Students should exit and enter the car using the passenger side. This ensures safety as cars are stopped close together–we have had instances of rear-end collisions in our car line, and we want to ensure both students and staff are safe. If your child is not yet able to unbuckle and buckle independently, we invite you to park and utilize our walker door.
Please use your full attention in the carline to prevent accidents such as rear-end collisions. It is helpful if you end cell phone use before pulling into the carline.
During pick-up, please display your child’s name in the windshield to expedite students coming down to the carline.
Finally, please help us by turning right when you depart the carline circle. This keeps traffic moving efficiently and safely.
Finally, practice patience–we will master the carline sooner than you think!
Bus Transportation Details
As we begin a new school year, we know that bus transportation can take a little time to settle into a routine. Please review the following important information to help make the first few weeks go smoothly.
Download the Edulog App.
We encourage families to download the Edulog Parent Portal app to receive bus updates and track your child’s bus. You will need your student’s ID number to access the information.
Please Be Patient During the First Few Weeks
The first few weeks of school may bring changes and adjustments as drivers learn their routes and new stops are added.
Please have your child at the bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled stop time. The bus may arrive up to 10 minutes before or after the scheduled time. Please allow extra time during the first few weeks as transportation works to establish consistent routes and schedules. New bus Transportation requests can take up to 10 school days for students to be assigned.
An Adult Must Be Present for PK–3 Students
For students in PK through 3rd grade, an adult must be present at the bus stop when the student is dropped off. The student will not be let off the bus.
Please Have Your Child Ride the Bus Regularly
Please make sure your child rides the bus a few times during the first few weeks of school.
If a student does not ride the bus for 10 consecutive school days, the student may be unassigned from the bus route.
Need Help With Your Bus?
The George Watts Montessori office closes at 3:15 p.m. each day.
If you are experiencing a transportation issue after the office has closed and cannot reach someone at the school, please contact Durham Public Schools Transportation:
Transportation: 919-560-BUSS (2877)
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's bus transportation, please reach out to Ms. Bertson.Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work together to make the start of the school year a smooth one for all of our students and families.