The first day of school is Tuesday, and we are SO excited to welcome our Grizzlies back to Galindo! This year is especially exciting as we welcome many new students, families, and staff to our Galindo community. As we begin our Built to Belong year, we know that the first day may feel a little different as everyone learns new faces, new routines, and new systems.
We ask for a little extra patience, grace, and flexibility today. The first day is going to be a LOT! 😊 There will be lots of adults helping, lots of questions, and probably a few moments of “Wait…where am I supposed to go?” That is exactly why we have our team ready to help!
Morning Arrival Drop-Off: 7:15–7:40
🌞 Students who know their teacher's name can walk directly into the cafeteria and find their teacher's line.
🌞 Students who don't know their teacher's name will be greeted and helped by staff before heading to the cafeteria.
🌞 Have school supplies? Don't worry about carrying everything! We will have carts where students can place their supplies with a label.
🌞 At 7:30, teachers will pick up their students from the cafeteria and head to class.
🌞 Students who are not yet listed on a class roster will be escorted to the office, where they can eat breakfast while our team helps with registration.
Drop-Off After 7:40
💜Students who know their teacher's name can go directly to their classroom.
💜Students who are new or unsure where to go will have plenty of staff members available to escort them to their classrooms.
💜Students with school supplies can use our labeled supply carts so they don't have to carry everything.
💜Students who are not listed on a class roster will be escorted to the office for breakfast and registration assistance.
Our biggest goal this morning is simple: Get every child where they need to be safely and happily.
☕️ Boo Hoo Breakfast
Parents, we haven't forgotten about you!
🥹Our PSS team is hosting a Boo Hoo Breakfast from 7:15–8:45 a.m. in the PSS room. Stop by for a cup of coffee, grab a muffin, meet some other Galindo parents, and share those happy tears, sad tears, or “I can't believe my baby is in school!” tears.
It's completely informal—just a fun place to hang out and connect!
🏠 3:10 Dismissal
Dismissal will also take a little extra time during the first few days as we learn our new routines. Thank you in advance for your patience!
🚌 Bus/Daycare Bus: Students will be picked up in the back parking lot off Birch Street.
🎨 On-Site After-School Care: Students attending Extend-A-Care YMCA or Creative Action will go directly to their programs and be picked up later.
🚶 Independent Walkers and Bikers: Students who walk independently will be escorted to Garden Villa and then continue home. Parents may choose to meet their child at Garden Villa or allow them to walk home alone. Students must be at least in 3rd grade to walk alone and/or escort their younger siblings.
Bike Riders will be escorted to the bus ramp to collect their bike and ride home from there off of Birch St. Students must be at least 3rd graders to ride their bike home alone and/or escort their younger siblings. Parents are welcome to bike over for dismissal and ride home with their kiddos.
🚗 Car Riders & Walk-Up Pick-Up: Families may use the front drive-through lane or park along 2nd Street or a nearby street and walk to the front of the school. Teachers will bring students out to their designated grade level areas (see photo). Students must wait to be dismissed by the teacher by bumping the teacher’s elbow. We ask that any parents who are walking up to pick up their child please not crowd the students and teachers. Please wait in the grass area until teachers are able to get the students situated.
🚨 Important Pick-Up Reminder
If you are using the front pick-up lanes, please remain in your vehicle. There is NO PARKING and getting out of your car in the front lanes.
We will use color-coded pick-up signs by grade level with your child's name, grade, and teacher. Please display your sign in your car window or have it ready when you walk up.
Pro tip: You can take a picture of your pick-up sign and keep it on your phone! 📱
Signs were distributed at Meet the Teacher and will also be available during arrival and dismissal during the first few days.
💜 A Little First-Day Grace
Families, please know that our staff is ready. We have extra adults stationed throughout the building, and we will be helping students every step of the way.
The first day doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be a beginning.
We are learning together. We are building new relationships. We are figuring out new routines. And most importantly, we are creating a place where every child knows they belong.
Thank you for giving our staff, students, and families a little extra patience today. By the end of the day, we'll have learned a LOT—and tomorrow we'll be even better!
We are so grateful that you are part of our Galindo family.
Welcome back, Grizzlies! Let's make it a great first day! 🐻💜
