A safe and orderly environment promotes quality learning. At Pope Elementary we promote good citizenship and consideration of others. All students are expected to contribute by exhibiting appropriate behavior and assuming responsibility for their actions. Classroom teachers work with the guidance counselor and parents to address any social or emotional concerns. Significant behavioral issues are referred to the school principal. The principal will contact parents when necessary. 1 st bell rings at 8:20 a.m. Students may enter the building at 7:45 for breakfast or 8:10 to go to their classroom. Walking students enter the school through the door near the Information Center off Hercules Street. Students arriving by vehicle will enter through the front entrance off Armistead Street. All visitors must sign in at the school office and get a visitors badge upon arrival. Parents are asked to say good-bye to their children outside the building. Please do not escort to their classroom doors. Staff members will be on duty at all entrance doors. Classroom Teachers will be at their classroom door to greet students as they arrive. Pre-K parents wait at entrance doors until a staff member escorts their children to their classrooms at 8:30 for A.M. class and 12:00 for P.M. class. Staff members will escort Pre-K students to entrance doors for their release directly to a parent or authorized adult escort at 10:55 for A.M. class and 2:25 for P.M. class. Kindergarten students will be brought to the doors for release at 2:40 by their teacher or another staff member. Students from grades 1-4 will be released at 2:45 and will be escorted to the door by their teachers. Parents waiting for students at dismissal are asked to wait at a pre-arranged place. Please ensure all doors and hallways are not blocked. Students leaving the building at dismissal may re-enter only after all students have been dismissed and should use the main entrance. Visitors arriving at dismissal are asked to enter the building after all students have been dismissed and should use the main entrance. We have very narrow hallways that cannot accommodate strollers.