Skip To Main Content

General Information

Thornell Road Elementary School

A Learning Community Dedicated to Teamwork, Respect and Excellence for Students

Arrival/Dismissal Times

  • Student arrival for all grade levels (K-5) begins at 8:30 A.M. (doors are locked until 8:30)
  • Students are expected to be in their classroom by 8:35 A.M.
  • Student dismissal for all grade levels (K-5) begins at 3:05 P.M.

Please Note: School personnel are unable to assume responsibility for the supervision of children before the start of the school day, students may not be dropped off or otherwise arrive at school prior to 8:30 A.M.

Parent Pick-up is at Door 15 daily starting at 3:00pm. 

After-School Rehearsals & Activities:

Members of our performing ensembles will rehearse from 3:05 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on the following days:

  • Monday - Grade 4 Chorus
  • Tuesday - Orchestra
  • Wednesday - Grade 5 Chorus
  • Thursday – Concert Band

There may be other occasions when students have special permission to remain on campus for other scheduled after-school activities. During these times, students will work directly with the person responsible for supervising that activity.

Students not participating in rehearsals or other after-school activities are expected to leave school at 3:05 p.m. and report directly home or to a designated caregiver. Playing in the parking lot after school hours is not permitted.

Attendance and Absences

When your child will be out of school, please call the Attendance Line at 267-1709 by 9:00 A.M. on each day he/she is absent. Please provide the following information:

  • Child's full name
  • Teacher's name
  • Reason for absence

It is important for a school nurse to be informed of any contagious illness.  For a list of contagious illnesses, refer to the Health Services Information section of this handbook. You may request homework if your child is absent for more than one day.

Illegal Absences:

If children are out of school on family vacations, when school is in session, it is recorded as an illegal absence.  Under our homework policy, teachers are not required to prepare materials in advance for students who will be on vacation.

Interruption Free Policy

The staff and students at Thornell Road School value uninterrupted instructional time.  The interruption-free school day policy and procedures promote the safety of our students and staff and the security of the building.

Deliveries:

Students will be allowed to go to the office to pick up any items left for them (e.g., lunches, lunch money) at an appropriate time determined by the teacher.

 Student Drop-Off:

Parents are asked to go to the main office when dropping off students in the morning and during the school day.  Morning routines are important to getting off to a good start in classrooms.  In order to minimize interruptions to this essential part of the day, parents may not accompany students to classrooms in the morning.

Parking

For the safety of all our children, CARS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE BUS LOOP DURING SCHOOL HOURS.

Parents/visitors should use the side parking lot at the top of the hill.

  • Obey all stop signs, cross walks and traffic flow arrows
  • Speed limit is 15 miles per hour coming up the hill
  • Use the designated student drop-off lane near the flagpole. Students should exit the vehicle on the curbside of the lane.
  • Please be mindful of walkers and bike riders and use caution when driving on school property

Personal Belongings

What to Bring / What Not to Bring:
Students are expected to bring appropriate school materials (e.g., pen, pencil, notebook, or as outlined by the teacher) and homework to school each day and are responsible for them. During the summer, supply lists will be posted on our school website. These items may be brought to school during the scheduled classroom visitation day or on the first day of school.

 Students may bring only legal and safe objects to school. Any weapon brought to school will result in disciplinary action. All objects that bear any resemblance to a weapon, or could be misconstrued as a weapon, must be cleared by the principal before being used as an instructional aide in the classroom or as part of a presentation.

Clothing should be appropriate for the weather and the school day activities. Footwear should be appropriate for school activities and should not pose a safety concern. Everything should be labeled with the student's name.

Electronic Devices

As of September 2025, the usage of personal electronic devices for student use - including cell phones and smart watches - during the school day is restricted. This change is part of a broader statewide initiative signed into law by Governor Hochul to promote distraction-free schools and support students' mental health.  

This District-wide policy applies to all students in grades K-12 and is aligned with a new state law requiring “bell-to-bell” restrictions on personal electronic devices. The goal is to foster a more focused, respectful, and connected learning environment by minimizing distractions and promoting healthy social development.  

What the Policy Requires  

  • Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12): Phones, must be turned off and stored in lockers from arrival until dismissal, unless the student leaves campus. Smartwatches and other internet-connected devices, including gaming devices, may not be used during the school day.  
  • Elementary Schools (Grades K-5): Cell phones are not permitted inside the school buildings. Smartwatches and other internet-connected devices must be kept in the student's backpack throughout the day. 

Heat Mitigation  

The district is responsible for addressing the health, safety, and comfort of all students and staff on days of extreme heat conditions.  To determine room temperature in classrooms, temperature will be measured at a shaded location, three feet above the floor near the center of the room.  

If the temperature reaches 82 Degrees Fahrenheit, the following actions will be considered: 

  • Turning off overhead lights; 

  • Pulling down shades; 

  • Turning on fans; 

  • Opening classroom doors and windows; 

  • Turning off unused electronics; 

  • Providing water breaks. 

If the temperature reaches 88 Degrees Fahrenheit, the following actions will be considered: 

  • Moving students to cooler spaces within the school; or 

  • Closing school early (according to the District’s emergency school closing policy and/or procedure which include communicating with parents and persons in parental relation.   

Games and Toys:

Items of significant value should not be brought to school. Electronic games/gadgets are not permitted during school hours. Any other items should have the prior approval of the teacher.

Care of Personal Property:

A student’s personal property is the sole responsibility of the student.  Students should not bring large sums of money or valuable/irreplaceable personal items to school. The replacement of lost, damaged or stolen property is not covered by the District’s insurance and the District does not replace personal property. During recess and lunch, students are responsible for the safe- keeping of all personal belongings.

Lost and Found:

The Lost and Found is located outside of the cafeteria. Any items not claimed at the end of the school year are donated to charity. Please contact the bus garage directly for items left on school buses.

Pets in the Building

No animals are permitted in the school building without the permission of the principal. 

Walking and Biking to School

Many students desire to walk or ride their bicycles to and from school. There are many safety factors to be considered. Students who walk or bike to school should travel with a buddy. Students in Grades 4 or higher can be dismissed alone with a written permission slip. Students in Grade 3 or lower will not be dismissed without a parent or older sibling. 

Please complete the Walk/Bike Permission Form available through the link below if you think your child :

Walk/Bike Permission Form / Walk/Bike Permission Form (pittsfordschools.org)

If you opt to let your child ride a bike to school, please review bicycle safety rules. A bicycle helmet is required for all bikers. Bikers are to walk bikes on the sidewalks adjacent to the parking lot when approaching the school.

Note: A written permission slip delivered to the Main Office is necessary on the day(s) that a student will be walking or riding a bike home from school.