Frequently Asked Questions

▪ What are the school start and end times?

▪ Where does my child go if they arrive earlier than 7:30?

▪ What is the procedure for morning drop-off?

▪ What is the procedure for dismissal?

▪ How do I determine my child’s bus route?

▪ Do I need to sign in when visiting the school during school hours?

▪ How do I check my child in after 7:45 a.m.?

▪ What school supplies does my child need?

▪ What happens at Registration and Meet & Greet Day?

▪ What if I cannot attend Registration/Meet & Greet?

▪ I am new to the United States. Where can I find more information about enrolling my child in school?

▪ How do I pay for school lunches?

▪ How does my child purchase ice cream in the cafeteria?

▪ Does Vanderlyn offer the After School Program?

▪ Does Vanderlyn Elementary School have a required student uniform?

▪ When are parent teacher conferences?

▪ How does the Vanderlyn community communicate?

▪ How do I give money to support programs at Vanderlyn?

▪ Why should I join the PTO?

▪ How do I get involved at Vanderlyn?  

 

What are the school start and end times? Instruction begins at 7:45 a.m. Students should be prepared to enter their classrooms at 7:30 a.m. Dismissal begins at 2:15 p.m.

 

Where does my child go if they arrive earlier than 7:30? Between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m., students are monitored in the cafeteria (grades K through 3) or in the gym (grades 4 and 5).

 

What is the procedure for morning drop-off? If students do not ride the bus, they may either walk or be dropped off through carpool.

 

See the complete carpool procedures here.

 

Carpool: When dropping off, there will be two carpool lanes.  Starting at 7:00 a.m., use ONLY the carpool lane closest to Hensley Drive.  At 7:20 a.m., after the buses have completed unloading, the carpool lane closest to Trumbull Drive will open for drop-off. Obey directional turning signs as you exit the driveways in the morning. Slow down! Remember, children are difficult to see between cars. Please discontinue use of cell phones in the carpool line.

 

Walking: If you want to walk your child into the school, you should always park on the Vanderlyn side of the street between Vermack Road (Dunwoody High School) and Hensley Drive (the three way stop). This will allow traffic patterns to move and keeps students from having to cross the street illegally. In addition, it will keep cars from blocking our neighbors’ driveways and houses across the street.

 

Parking Rules:

 

• DO NOT double park in front of the school and drop off your child. It is both dangerous and discourteous.

• Please do NOT park at Dunwoody High School. These spaces are for the high school students ONLY.
• Do NOT park in the parking lot and walk your child across the carpool line and into the building.

 

 What is the procedure for dismissal? 

Carpool:   When picking up, use ONLY the carpool lane closest to Hensley Drive. If you plan to use afternoon carpool, you must go to the Carpool Table at registration.  You will be issued a hangtag with your carpool number.

 

Walking: All walkers are assigned a "walker number." Walker numbers are assigned during registration at the Carpool table or in the front office during the school year. You will need to display that number when picking up your child outside of the school. All walkers must exit from the front doors of the main building. If you are meeting your walker, please wait on the sidewalks in front of the school for your child to be dismissed.

 

Dismissal Rules:  All early check-outs should occur before 2:00 p.m. To help minimize disruptions to the dismissal procedure, parents and visitors should not enter the building between 2:00 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

 

How do I determine my child’s bus route? Bus schedules will be available at registration at the "Bus route/Carpool number" table, in the classrooms during registration and in the front office. Routes may also be found at Vanderlyn Bus Routes.

 

Do I need to sign in when visiting the school during school hours? Yes.  Please stop by the main office, sign the visitors’ log notebook located on the front desk, completely fill out a visitor badge and wear the sticker during your visit. This sticker identifies you as an official visitor to teachers and staff. 

 

How do I check my child in after 7:45 a.m.? You must bring your child to the main office. Sign his/her name on the “check in/check out” folder along with the time and the reason for late arrival. A front office staff member will issue your child a pass for class.  A Vanderlyn staff member will escort your child to their classroom. Remember, instruction begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. and late arrivals cause a disruption to the day. Please avoid tardiness to class.

 

What school supplies does my child need? Your child’s school supply list may be found by grade level on the Vanderlyn School website, https://www.vanderlynes.dekalb.k12.ga.us or click here. Each student is responsible for purchasing his/her own school supplies. 

 

What happens at Registration and Meet & Greet Day? Everyone should plan to attend Registration and Meet & Greet Day.  Check the school calendar for date and time.

 

You will be required to verify residency in the Vanderlyn attendance online prior to arrival. Proof of Residency documents must include one of the following:

 

• Current utility bill (gas, electric, or water only - no phone bills - dated no earlier than June 1 of the current year);

• Signed lease; or

• Mortgage contract

 

Also, please bring your photo ID so a copy can be placed in your student's file.

Vanderlyn staff and PTO members will also be available to take care of all registration updates and provide any information about the school you may need. In addition to the registration process, you will have the opportunity to learn about upcoming school activities and events. The PTO will be on hand to answer questions and help you find the right volunteer opportunity for you. You will be able to join the PTO and learn more about how the PTO benefits our school.

 

What if I cannot attend Registration/Meet & Greet? If you are unable to attend Registration day, late registration will be held at a later date.  Contact the school registrar, Angela Gillett,  for more information.

 

I am new to the United States. Where can I find more information about enrolling my child in school? The DeKalb County School System provides a centralized registration process for any student who was born outside of the United States and/or whose first spoken language is other than American English. The centralized registration process takes place at the International Student Screening Center (ISSC) located at 2383 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, GA 30329. If a parent reports to Vanderlyn for registration and it is determined that the student was born outside of the United States or has a first spoken language other than American English, then they are referred to the ISSC for the registration process. For more information call 678-676-6600 or visit http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/schools/centers/international/index.html.

 

How do I pay for school lunches? The most convenient option is to pay through School Cafe. An informational flyer is available at Registration day or in the front office. In addition, lunch money can be sent in to your child’s homeroom teacher. Make checks payable to Vanderlyn Cafeteria and include the student’s name and class on the envelope.

 

How does my child purchase ice cream in the cafeteria? Ice cream is occasionally available on Fridays for $1.00. Your child can bring cash to purchase ice cream or they can use their lunch money account. Due to allergies, students may not purchase ice cream for other students.

 

Does Vanderlyn offer the After School Program? Yes, we do!  Information will be available at Registration, or click here.

 

Does Vanderlyn Elementary School have a required student uniform? No, Vanderlyn does not have a required student uniform. However, all students must follow the DeKalb County Schools and Vanderlyn Student Dress Code:

 

• The wearing of clothing, insignia, symbols, or adornments worn or carried on or about a student which promote gangs, the use of controlled substances, drugs, alcohol or tobacco is prohibited.
• The wearing of clothing which shows offensive and/or vulgar words, pictures, diagrams, drawings, or includes words or phrases of a violent nature, a disruptive nature, a sexual nature, or words or phrases that are derogatory regarding a person’s ethnic background, color, race, national origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited.
• The wearing of pants below the waistline, bare midriffs, halter tops/tank tops, tops/blouses revealing cleavage, short shorts, net/see through garments, flip flops, between-the-toe shoes without heels, bedroom shoes, or other footwear that interferes with freedom of movement or dresses, pants, or skirts with high splits is prohibited.

 

Note: Students/Parents are urged to review local school handbooks for any additional requirements related to student dress. You can find the Vanderlyn Student Handbook on the Vanderlyn School website, www.Vanderlyn.com.

 

How does the Vanderlyn community communicate? We communicate through the Vanderlyn School website (www.Vanderlyn.com), the Vanderlyn PTO website (www.vanderlynpto.org), Viking Views (the PTO weekly e-newsletter), School Messanger, our Facebook page, and our Instagram page. When you set up your online Vanderlyn Toolkit account, please provide the email address you wish to use to receive your emails and newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time. If you have questions regarding the e-newsletter, please contact vanderlynvikingviews@gmail.com. 

 

How do I give money to support programs at Vanderlyn? Vanderlyn is one of the country’s premier elementary schools thanks to the financial generosity of Vanderlyn parents. Donations to the Vanderlyn PTO Annual Fund provide students and teachers with tools needed to excel in the classroom. PTO pays for equipment, programs, and services not provided by DeKalb County and local school taxes. A few items the PTO provides are listed below: 

• Stipends of $300 per school year for each teacher to purchase necessary classroom materials
• Visiting author and illustrator
• Teacher Training - The PTO designates funds for teacher training to support our teachers in their professional growth.
• Field trips - The Annual Fund pays for the difference between parent donations for field trips and actual costs of those trips.
• Academic competitions - Math Olympiad, Science Olympiad, Academic Bowl, Math Competition at Kittredge & Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl
• Teaching Gardens
• Passport Around the World
• Field Day
• Grade level musical productions
  
• 5th grade showcase about the Civil War
• Book Fairs
• VanderDash
• Teacher and Staff Appreciation lunches, breakfasts, birthday treats and recognition throughout the school year
• Faculty Holiday and End of the Year gifts
• Awards Day for grades 1-5

 

Every child at Vanderlyn benefits academically and personally from these programs. Therefore, the Vanderlyn PTO encourages every family to join the PTO and make a financial contribution to the Annual Fund to help the PTO continue to offer programs that enhance the school’s award-winning learning environment.

 

Why should I join the PTO? PTO is the #1 voice for parent involvement. The PTO supports education through active participation and advocacy. By joining the PTO, you help create the perfect environment for our children to succeed. When families, schools and communities work together, we improve the minds and the well-being of our children. Please visit vanderlynpto.org to learn more about the PTO and how you can get involved.

 

How do I get involved at Vanderlyn? There are many volunteer opportunities for parents to get involved at Vanderlyn. We invite your involvement and we welcome your thoughts and ideas. During Registration day, you will have a chance to speak with many of the committee chairpersons and join a committee or two. Please feel free to contact the PTO Co-Presidents Marcy Ames or Katie Louviere, with any questions you may have.