NCCS Parent Guide

SCHOOL HOURS

The school day for students on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:
Half-day K3- K4 8:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Full-day K3- K4 8:00 a.m. –  2:40 p.m.
JK5 – 4th Grades 8:00 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.
5th – 8th Grades 8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
9th – 12th Grade 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday morning is a professional learning and development time for faculty and staff.
Called “Take One Wednesday," start time is one hour later (9:00 a.m.) with regular dismissal time.

Half-day dismissal times:
Full-day K3 – 4th Grade: 11:15 a.m.
5th – 12th Grade: 11:45 a.m.

Office Hours
Lower, Middle and Upper School Office hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

BEFORE + AFTER SCHOOLBefore School + Early Care
The school building opens for students each morning at 7:00 a.m. STUDENTS MAY NOT BE DROPPED OFF EARLIER THAN 7:00 a.m. There is no supervision available before that time, and students are not permitted to play outside the building before school.
K3 through 4th grade students who arrive before 7:30 a.m. must go to the Lower School Cafeteria where NCCS personnel will supervise them until school begins. Fifth through 8th grade students arriving on campus early (after 7:00) are permitted to remain in the MS hallway, gym, pavilion. or other supervised location communicated by the administration prior to the classrooms being opened at 7:45 a.m.  

After School
All full-day Lower School students not picked up by the end of the carline at 3:00 p.m. must go to Flipside. Lower School students are not allowed to wait outside for their parents after carline. Middle/Upper School students are to be picked up by 3:30 p.m. unless staying for an extra-curricular practice or event, and must otherwise go to Middle School designated after-care areas.

As a school community, we currently have historically high student enrollment (hooray!), which means more cars funneling onto campus every morning and afternoon -- and more new parents, students and staff who are learning carline procedures. So, let’s tackle carline the NCCS Family way with grace, transparency, love and humor, shall we? Let’s begin!

First things first: We are currently working with local authorities to create solutions for our growing school community, especially during morning carline. Those changes are expected to roll out early fall 2022. 

In the meantime … here’s our NCCS Guide for Surviving Carline Without Accidents or Expletives: 

Survival Tip #1 | IF YOU AIN’T FIRST, YOU STILL AIN’T TARDY. 
Tardies due to carline are not counted against Lower, Middle or Upper School students at the beginning of the school year. We record the time when carline ends each morning (typically between 8:00-8:05 ), so no need to panic. We got you. 

Survival Tip #2 | DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD EXIT ANYWHERE BUT IN CARLINE!
This one is a BIGGIE. Some students in the past tried exiting vehicles at Citgo or along Eagle Drive and walking (or running or zig-zagging) across carline lanes and through the parking lot. PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD DO THIS! We know traffic is frustrating, but again, see Tip #1. No need for speed. Let’s keep our kids safe and inside cars. 

Survival Tip #3 | USE THE CORRECT MORNING CARLINE LANE.
Did you know that in the morning, we have two carline options: the Main Lane (directly in front of the main entrance) and the Parking Lot Lane? Here’s how these lanes work:

MAIN LANE:  
Who | All Upper School drivers (for now), as well as preschool-2nd grade students should use this lane. If a family has older students and preschool-2nd grade students, please drop off all of your children in the Main Lane, to keep our younger students safe. 
How to enter | The Main Lane can be entered from any of our 3 entrance points: Nance/Eagle Drive, Lakeview Way, or Old 41. Just stay RIGHT to enter this lane. NOTE: From Nance/Eagle Drive, all traffic is directed to the Main Lane after 7:25 a.m. (8:25 on Wednesdays).

PARKING LOT LANE:
Who | All students 3rd grade and above can get out in the top Parking Lot Lane and walk down the stairs. This convenient lane is a great option for parents with older students! 
How to enter | This lane can be entered from 2 of our 3 entrance points: Lakeview Way and Old 41. Just stay LEFT to enter the parking lot. NOTE: You cannot enter the Parking Lot Lane from Nance / Eagle Drive. 

Survival Tip #4 | FEEL FREE TO PARK. 
While some parents have car doors cracked, one foot on the gas and the other foot on their kid’s back ready to give that final shove, we understand that other parents need more time. If you haven’t quite finished your morning bonding or breakfast or brushing of the hair or teeth, please feel free to park and walk your child up to the entrance. There are plenty of parking spaces open just for you!

Survival Tip #5 | BE READY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. 
As you enter carline, have students ready to disembark quickly. Unbuckled, backpack on, ready to launch!
Of course, if your preschooler or kindergartener needs help unloading, please just hang your carline tag from your rearview, and we’ll be right there.

Survival Tip #6 | EMBRACE THE BUS LIFE. 
If you’d rather sip your coffee calmly at home than spill it all over yourself in a Cruella De Vil carline rage, we have a bus route for that. Check out our morning bus shuttle routes!  

Survival Tip #7 | KEEP YOUR PHONE OFF. 
NCCS has a strict no phone policy while driving anywhere in our parking lot or carlines. And yes, this is a policy for everyone -- not just for the person in the car next to you (wink wink).

Survival Tip #8 | FOLLOW OUR CROSSING GUARDS’ DIRECTIONS. 
Our crossing guards (who - spoiler - are actually our faculty and staff disguised in orange vests) follow a specific plan to keep carline safe and MOVING. If they motion you forward or ask you to stop, please do so. They may have a goal of which you are unaware, such as the need to fit three cars between each crosswalk without blocking the crosswalks. They’re out in rain, shine, and Georgia humidity just to keep our children safe. Have you seen their hair?! Be nice to them. 

Survival Tip #9 | JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL
By the grace of God (literally, we praise Him for it!), we have a 39-year school record of successful carlines, since our founding in 1983. Our TOP GOAL is to work together to keep our students, faculty and staff safe!

We welcome parents on campus!! We just ask that you please give the appropriate head's up when you plan to visit, and be sure to sign in at the reception desk in either the main or upper school lobbies when you arrive.

Visiting the ClassroomParents and visitors are welcome to make arrangements to visit the school and the classroom through the division principal's office.

Teacher ConferencesTeacher conferences can be set up directly with the teacher at any time via email. We do ask that parents please not enter the building during morning carline/drop-off without an appointment, except to visit The Perch school store, front desk, Business Office, or Pedestal Foods. Lower School faculty and staff are stationed in front hallways and entrances to walk our younger children to class.

ChapelParents are welcome to attend chapel with their student every week (space permitting). No prior communication needed; simply sign in at the front desk of the main building when you arrive!

LunchParents can also visit during lunch. Lower School parents should simply sign up through Calendly. 

Middle + Upper School lunch visits are more rare (and space is more tight), but parents are welcome to set up a lunch visit through the MS or US offices, as well.

Delivering Forgotten Items
If your child forgets something that they need at school, no worries! Simply drop it by the front reception desk of either the main building (LS + MS students) or upper school building (US students), and our receptionists will have the item delivered lickety split without interrupting class. 
 

THE PERCH SCHOOL STOREThe Perch is located in the main entrance lobby across from the reception desk. The Perch School Store carries a variety of school supplies and is your one-stop shop for NCCS Eagles spirit wear. From logo caps, letter jackets, and t-shirts to hooded sweatshirts, the Perch has it. The Perch is also your source for P.E. uniforms.

You can also shop online, and items will be delivered to your child's classroom. 

LOST AND FOUND
We strongly recommend that you put your student’s name on all personal belongings, including clothing and books. Lost and found articles are accessible at the storage building located in the Fine Arts Building (FAB) parking lot on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:45-3:30. All unclaimed items are typically given to a charitable organization seasonally, but we make every effort to return items that are labeled with a student's name. 

Painting “The Rock” located in the upper main parking lot of NCCS is a tradition at North Cobb Christian School.  It is available for painting by any member of the NCCS community.  When painting the rock, we kindly ask that you comply with the following guidelines:

Please paint only The Rock and not the surrounding areas (i.e. curbs, signs, roadway).

Please use language that is appropriate, uplifting, and not offensive.

Please be sure to properly dispose of any empty paint cans/supplies upon completion.

Painting the rock is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please be careful when painting. Wind blown paint can land on cars, signs, and other property.

Non-compliance with these guidelines will be considered vandalism.