Arrival and Dismissal Information

Click here for the Innovation Arrival and Dismissal Map

Walkers

Walkers may enter the school grounds at either the N. Adams St gate (door C5) or the N. Veitch St gate (door D6).

Kindergarten and 1st grade students need to be accompanied by an adult.

Students in grades 2 – 5 may walk to and from school alone with parent permission. You can provide permission on this Google Form.

A crossing guard may be available to assist walkers in crossing at the intersection of Veitch St and Wilson Blvd. Patrols in yellow belts are also stationed around the school.

At dismissal, walking parents should plan to meet their children at the same gate where they dropped off their children in the morning.

Bike Riders

Bicycles may be ridden to school by students. Please remember to send your child with a lock and park bikes at our main bike rack at door C5 (inside the N Adams St gate).

Car Riders

We strongly encourage bus riders to ride the bus and walkers to walk, but if you must drive your child to school, parents should drop their child off along Key Blvd. Pick up will be in the same location.

Please be mindful of the parking signs along Key Blvd and pull all the way forward if you are early for drop off or pick up. The parking lot for the school is closed to car access during arrival and dismissal.

Discharge your child on the passenger side closest to the sidewalk so he/she does not cross traffic.  Innovation staff members and safety patrols will be outside to assist you and your child.For the safety of families and students, cars may not make a U-Turn on Key Blvd. Please proceed to N. Veitch St. as you exit the drop off/pick up line. Please remember to drive slowly, be aware of pedestrians and bikers, and follow all posted traffic signs.

Families should NOT drop students off by car on N. Veitch St. This is a busy street and not a safe drop off location for students exiting a vehicle.

Bus Riders

APS provides bus service for children who live more than one mile from school or where walking is hazardous.  Schedules for bus riders will be available on ParentVUE the week of August 18th. You can find the Innovation Bus Eligibility map on the APS website here.

A parent or designated adult must be present at the bus stop in the afternoon to receive students in Pre-k, kindergarten and 1st grade or the child will be returned to the school.  An older elementary sibling is not allowed to take the place of an adult to accompany the student home.

APS uses the Where’s My Bus app to allow families to track their child’s bus. More information can be found on the APS Transportation website.

Changes in Transportation Arrangements

Changes in daily transportation should be avoided if possible. Consistency of routine is important for young children. Arrangements to visit friends should be scheduled after children arrive safely at home in the afternoon. In the event that your child will walk or ride in a car home with a friend, we ask that each child bring a note to school confirming both parents’ approval of this arrangement.

All changes to transportation home from school must be made by 3pm by calling the main office at 703-228-2700 and emailing [email protected] (if your child is in the extended day program.

Authorizing others to pick up your child

Be sure to list those persons who may pick up your child on the Emergency Care Form, which is completed online through ParentVUE. This is especially important if your child becomes ill at school or misses the bus, or if you are delayed in traffic. Update this information throughout the year as necessary. The school cannot release your child to neighbors or relatives unless they are listed in our Student Information System.