MAURICE, LA - As the new school year kicks off at Cecil Picard Elementary, parents are once again settling into the familiar rhythm of the afternoon pick-up line— where arriving early has become a shared tradition for many, filled with laughs and a bit of casual timing strategy.

“I’m second today because I got off early,” said parent Keesha Celestine. “Normally, I try to get in line around 2:00 or 2:15, and that puts me in the perfect spot.”

The school’s dismissal bell rings at 3:15 p.m., but parents say arriving early is key. The gates typically open between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m., giving early birds a head start in what has become a highly coordinated routine.

“It depends how far you live and how convenient it is for you,” said Alberto Zarpelon, another parent. “But if you come at 3 p.m.,

See Full Page