Parents,
I apologize for the length of this email but this is important for you to read.
As we start this school year on a traditional schedule, (all 1st-6th grade students attend 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM) I want to give you instructions on where to drop off and pick up your kiddos for school. Also, to ask for your help in the parking lot by following the directions of the staff and by being patient, courteous, and mindful of safety and efficiency.
The drop-off and pick-up lanes for all 1st – 6th Grade students will now be in two locations.
1.) On the west side of the school (parallel to Silver Lake Parkway)
2.) On the southwest side (adjacent to Golden Eagle Road).
The southeast pull-through is for Kindergarten and Preschool students only. Do not use or park in this drive-through during the school day.
Entering the drive-throughs from either the south entrance, off of Silver Lake Parkway (just north of the round-a-bout), or on the southwest side parking lot (along Golden Eagle Rd.), all 1st – 6th-grade students will walk along the west side of the school using the sidewalk to enter the playground on the north side, between the school and the church.
Students will line up in that area at their designated spot assigned for their class. This is where the bike racks are as well.
When dropping off, or picking up your student(s), pull into the drive-through, continue to move forward as much as possible to alleviate congestion with cars lined up to coming in from the street. It is imperative that you follow the directions of all staff members while in the parking lot and drive-throughs. All staff members have as much authority as I do when it comes to safety.
The two-lane drive-throughs are for parents to pull out and exit once they have dropped off, or picked their students up cub-side. Students will not be allowed to load or unload other than from the curb. Again, this blocks the flow of traffic and has created hazards for students getting in and out of cars.
Do not enter through the exit or exit through the entrance of the parking lot. I know this may sound silly that I needed to mention this but surprisingly, from my experience, I’ve had drivers choose to go the wrong way. I need not mention the hazards there.
The south parking lots, in front of the school, are for parents and others entering the school. Students shouldn’t enter the school in the front unless they need to go to the office for some reason. If students are dropped off or picked up along the southwest curbing, in front of the school, they are required to walk along the west side of the school to enter the school through the back doors, on the north side, with their class.
Please be aware that part of the southwest drive-through is for our one Life Skills bus. The bus zone will be clearly marked with two signs posed. Do not park between the bus zone signs.
If you park in any of the parking lots please do not encourage your child to cross the parking lot alone. Please pick up your student and escort them to your vehicle. Again, this is a safety precaution.
Lastly, do not speed in the parking lot, (remember, we do have cameras, and I know how to use them). No schedule is more important than the life of a child (or an adult for that matter). If you are planning on picking your students up alongside the road on Golden Eagle or Silverlake Parkway, do not have your student come into the road or through the parking lot to get into your car alone. Additionally, please stay off cell phones while in the drive-throughs and parking lots. We are trying to mitigate these safety hazards.
Thank you for your assistance with this as we are striving every day to keep all students and adults safe. Attached is our Traffic Flow Map. SL Traffic Flow Map 2021.jpg Please refer to it and comply with what we have established.
Let’s make it a great and safe year.
Principal Miller