NEOGA, Ill. (WCIA) — As Neoga CUSD #3 prepares to have students return following the tornado damage, they are sharing some important updates.

In a Facebook post addressed to Neoga families, the school district said there will be several important updates regarding transportation and building access that will be going into effect. One of the biggest changes is that all parent pickup times we be earlier than bus dismissals.

With the Jr. High and High School temporarily relocated; the district is asking families to call the school office as soon as possible to report any transportation changes for their children. Specifically, callers are urged to speak with Deana, the district’s transportation secretary, to update transportation plans.

The transportation time updates will include the following:

Bus Dismissal Schedule

• 2:40 p.m. – High School
• 2:48 p.m. – Jr. High
• 2:48 p.m. – Elementary

Parent Pickup Schedule

• 2:40 p.m. – High School
• 2:40 p.m. – Jr. High
• 2:40 p.m. – Elementary

Additionally, Jr. High parent pickup will take place at the back playground doors. If a Jr. High student has an elementary sibling, they will be dismissed together through the elementary parent pickup line. Elementary pickup will continue to take place in the circle drive as usual, but students will exit through a different door because of construction taking place.

If a child needs to leave school for an appointment, the district is asking families to contact the office ahead of time and arrange for a pickup before 2:30 p.m. to avoid the busyness of normal dismissal times.

High School student drivers are being asked to park behind the Community Center or in the Jennings Park area. The district is also encouraging carpooling when possible. The circle drive at the Community Center should only be used for buses and for picking up a student for an appointment. Students entering the new high school building are urged to use Door 23B.

On top of this, for morning entry for Jr. High and elementary students, due to construction close to the gym doors, those entrances will be unavailable. All of these student bus riders have to enter through the north playground doors every morning. Ultimately, the parent drop off will be at the same building as usual, just at a different door than before.

Additionally, parents are being asked not to park and walk up to the building during dismissal time.

“For everyone’s safety and to keep the line moving efficiently, stay in your vehicle and follow the pickup line procedures,” the district said in their post.

On the other hand, bus routes will continue to drop off and pick up at the same designated locations every day. Elementary walkers will exist using the sidewalk around the Ag shop and high school sports students (track and baseball) who don’t drive will take a bus to the high school area after school.

High school music, band and choir students will still use the midday activity bus for transportation. However, Jr. High parents picking up their kids are asked to not line up before 2:25 p.m. due to PE classes that will still be using the blacktop until that time.

Neoga CUSD #3 Elementary School Principal, Jordan Bear, will soon be sharing a short video to walk through the parking areas, entrances and pickup/dismissal procedures to help people visualize the previously mentioned changes.

“Please allow us time to finalize all the details, and understand that changes may still occur—sometimes beyond our control,” Bear said. “Thank you again for your continued support and understanding as we navigate these temporary adjustments. Our goal remains to keep students safe while maintaining as much consistency as possible.”