At DC Public Schools (DCPS), we are committed to the safety and security of our students. Beginning in School Year (SY) 2026–2027, all students in grades PreK–5 will be required to have a completed and signed Elementary Student Dismissal Authorization Form on file. PreK students may not self-dismiss.

No student will be allowed to leave school alone or with a school-aged family member until the attached form has been signed and returned to the main office or emailed to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

The Elementary Student Dismissal Authorization Form has two parts:

  • Part 1: Authorization to Release (Required for all students in PreK–5)
    This section asks you to list the adults who are authorized to pick up your child, if needed, during the school day or at dismissal.

  • Part 2: Permission to Self-Dismiss (Required only if applicable for students in grades K–5)
    This section allows you to give permission for your child to self-dismiss—either alone or with an older, authorized child-- at the end of the school day. Please note that only students in grades K-5 are eligible to self-dismiss, and DCPS recommends students in K-3 dismiss with an older, authorized student rather than alone. Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students should be picked up by a parent or authorized adult and may not be released to another elementary-age child.

You can learn more about the form, including recommendations for completing it, on the DCPS website. You may download a fillable version of the form online or pick up a paper copy from our main office at any time. Please complete a separate form for each child and submit completed forms to the main office or via email to hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov by the first day of school:

  • Monday, August 24, 2026, for students in grades K–5

  • Thursday, August 27, 2026, for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students

Thank you for helping us keep your child safe and accounted for each day.

Before returning this form, please:

·Walk or review with your child on the route(s) they will use to travel to and from school.

·Be sure that your child knows their address, your phone number, and where to go or who to contact if there is an emergency.

·Discuss safe walking behaviors with your child, including crossing streets safely at intersections with crossing guards, marked crosswalks, or other safe locations. (For more pedestrian safety tips please visit https://www.safekids.org/walkingsafelytips or https://www.nhtsa.gov/back-school-safety.)

Please also keep in mind that the Hyde-Addison playground is NOT available for student use after school dismissal because it is reserved for the Champions afterschool program.

This form is only required for students who are walking or taking public transportation home without their parent, guardian, or another adult who is authorized to pick them up. Please return a separate signed form for each of your children.

Please contact hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov with any questions.