Parking Lot Procedures

Arrival and Dismissal

Westlake has an established traffic flow for arrival and dismissal for the purpose of safety and efficiency. Please view the maps below for traffic patterns.

Drivers should drive slowly (no more than 5mph) and not double park. Please remain in the line and do not try and pass vehicles that are still stopped in front of you. Watch for children, especially in the parking lot.

Please note: Grayslake Police may ticket anyone who parks on any portion of a municipal sidewalk.

Illinois law prohibits driver use of cell phones in school zones, including dropping off or picking up students.

Arrival

Please note that all times below are for Monday–Thursday. Fridays follow the Late Start timeline.

All students should plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of school so that they can prepare for the day. Parents, please allow ample time to drive carefully and slowly through our drop-off line each morning.

Extended Care — Drop-off is from 7:00–7:50 at the front door. Preschool–6th grade students should press the call button to the right of the door and then proceed directly to the cafeteria (lower level). Parents of younger students should park and walk their children all the way to the cafeteria. Please register online for extended care (additional fee required).

Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten — Drop-off is from 8:10-8:30, and class begins at 8:30. Parents should park and walk their student to the end of the ramp by the yellow building. Students arriving between 7:50–8:10 (Early Arrival) may be dropped off at the front door of the main building for no extra charge (these students should be able to exit the vehicle with minimal assistance and able to proceed to the cafeteria independently).

If you have students in both elementary and our Early Learning Center and you arrive after 8:10, please first drop off your elementary student at the front door, then pull around the building and park in the spots along the ELC building to walk your child in. Please don’t park and allow elementary students to walk across the parking lot.

Elementary (K-6) — Drop-off is from 8:00-8:20, and class begins at 8:20. Parents should follow the drop-off line through the parking lot. Students should go to their locker and then directly to the classroom. Students arriving between 7:50–8:00 am should go directly to the cafeteria (no extra charge after 7:50 am).

Secondary (7-12) — Arrival is from 8:00-8:15. Students should go to their locker and then directly to their classroom. School begins at 8:15. Students who arrive before 8:00 am should go directly to the lower level, Room 3.

Late Start Friday: School starts at 9:00 am for K–12. Preschool and Pre-K starts at 9:10. Please visit the Late Start Friday page for additional details.

Dismissal

Family Pick-Up Cards will be distributed at Back-to-School Night or PS/PK/K Meet the Teacher. Parents/guardians must have this card displayed in the front window of their vehicle in order to pick up a student in Preschool through 6th grade.

Elementary School ends at 3:10pm. The pick-up window is 3:10–3:30pm. This means that you may arrive at any time during this window to pick up your student. You do not need to be present and waiting in line prior to 3:10pm. Any elementary school students remaining after 3:30 p.m. will be escorted to the After School Care program. Required fees will be assessed.

Junior and Senior High School ends at 3:20 p.m. Students are expected to leave the building no later than 3:40 p.m., unless they are participating in a Westlake activity or responsibility. Junior and Senior High students remaining after 3:30 p.m. must report to a supervised area.

Half-day dismissal is 11:30 am. Except on Late Start Fridays, when it is 12:00 pm.

Due to legal and liability issues, students are not allowed in the building before or after designated school hours, unless they are participating in a school-sponsored activity, assignment or event.