Hello.  I am curious as to whether the administration is open to suggestions about the current carpool madness.  Taking into account the school's priority of keeping students safe, as well as implementing an efficient and effective release program, I believe that if the school would consider the following "2-option" release system, these priorities could be achieved immediately.

The 2-Option Release System in a Nutshell:

The crux of this system affords the parents options, which would essentially curb pick-up and release wait times (i.e. no more wait times exceeding 45+ minutes!)  These options are...

1.  Allow parents the option to come into the school and get their children.  As under the present carpool system, if students continue to remain in their classes, teachers could keep a list of "carpool" students.  Hence, the only way a child could be released from the class is with a parent or guardian's signature.  The benefit of this "signature sign-out" method is three-fold: (1) the teachers get to learn the parents' faces, (2) security could still be achieved, and (3) there's no crowd at the front door.  Any child left in the class after 3:30pm would be taken directly to the ASP; and

2.  Allow the parents the option to still use the current carpool system.  Any parent not wanting to go to their child's class and sign them out, would still have the option to enter the carpool line and utilize the number system. 

Traffic control under this new "2-option" release system:

As in the mornings, if the school would designate only one lane of traffic for its carpool, the rest of the parking lot (including the church parking lot) could be used for parent "signature sign-outs".   Essentially, the current parking lot barriers could be abandoned and signs could be posted at the front of each parking row stating that parking is "For child-picks only.  5-minute max".  Thus, parents can park and pick up their kids.  Also, the curbside carpool lane can still flow easily without any merging lanes of traffic and traffic jams.  Plus, you still keep the left "exit" lane, as utilized in morning carpool.

I believe you would truly see parents stagger their pick-up times (resulting in  less chaos and traffic jams) if parents knew they had two safe, effective, and time efficient ways to pick up their kids. 

Under the current number system, it is unreasonable to ask parents to enter the carpool line at 1:30pm just so they can obtain their child within 20 minutes of being released at 3:00pm.  I personally have a daughter who will soon start gymnastics practice at 4:00pm, and under the present carpool mayhem, she will be 30-45 minutes late every time.  I can't afford to waste my money or gas, especially if there is a feasible solution that worth's trying.  I know the administration had a system that worked last year, but it doesn't now.  I hope they would be flexible and open to try another system that has already worked at other local schools.

Thanks for your time.

My neightborhood sits directly behind the school and on some days I would like to walk to pick my kids up from school.  What would the procedures be if I were to do this?  Thanks

Derrick

Hey there,

I haven't seen any info on what to expect with carpool this year. Will the students get new numbers or are we expected to reuse the ones from last year?