SOLANA HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
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Traffic Circulation
Plan
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Dear Parents, |
| Your child’s safety is vitally important
to us. We encourage students to walk to school, and neighborhood “walking
pools” are a healthy alternative to the ride in the car.
An alternative used by some parents whose schools have eliminated
bussing is the “walking school bus.” The idea is for
several families to agree to meet in a less congested area a block
or so away from school. The parents then take turns in walking
the children to school. Entry points include the park entrance
on Long Run and the entrance at the top of the steps at the intersections
of Ladyhill and High Bluff. We anticipate congestion in front of
the school, so alternatives are encouraged.
For those who drive, the supervised drop-off area will be in the
parking lot in front of the school. All drivers MUST follow the
Arrival and Departure Procedures described below. The success of
this procedure to run efficiently depends on the cooperation of
all drivers. Thank you for your cooperation during this important
transition period. |
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DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURE
If you are using the drop-off/pick-up zone, we ask
that you:
- Enter the parking lot by turning RIGHT
(when headed West on Long Run Dr.). Please refrain from
turning LEFT on Long Run Dr. into the parking lot.
I ask your cooperation with this because it really inhibits traffic
flow heading east because cars cannot get by when other cars are turning
left. This causes increased congestion, and is not courteous to the
parents who have waited for long periods of time to turn right. Afterschool
Program Vehicles, individuals who have paid Foundation Parking spots,
and Special Needs Bussing will continue to be able to turn left into
the parking lot.
- The yellow curb close to the office is reserved for Bus
Parking/Afterschool Program Vehicles only, e.g. Boys
and Girls Club Van, Chinese School, Special Needs Bussing,
and Afterschool Program Vehicles.
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Morning Arrival Procedure: Drive-In
* Drop-off * Depart |
| Be sure all children are ready to exit the vehicle.
Backpacks and lunches should be easily accessible (i.e. NOT in the
trunk). Hugs and kisses should be done PRIOR to school arrival, then
a quick “goodbye.” Please, no use of
cell phones. Volunteers and staff are on duty from 8:10 to 8:30 am to assist. |
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Drive-in |
Pull as far forward as possible in the Drop-off area. All parents
will remain in the vehicle. |
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Drop-off |
Children will exit the vehicle in the unloading area ONLY. Our
morning greeter will help the children departing the vehicle. Children
should exit the vehicle on the passenger side. |
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Depart |
Once the car door is closed, please leave promptly. |
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Afternoon Departure Procedure: Drive-In
* Pick-up * Depart |
| At the end of the school day, volunteers and staff
will supervise the front parking lot. Students will meet on the sidewalk
immediately in front of the school and staff will call out names of
parents arriving. Students will get in the cars from the front of
the line. We will cone off the back parking lot area to eliminate
parking, and drivers must remain in the vehicle while lining up and
waiting for children. |
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Drive-in |
Pull as far forward
as you are able. |
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Pick-up |
Your child will be waiting for you
in front of the school. An adult greeter will help your
child
enter the car on the curb side (passenger side) only. |
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Depart |
Once the car door is closed, please leave promptly. Thank
you for remembering to drive slowly and
carefully when exiting the school parking lot. Please,
no use of cell phones. |
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To familiarize the students with the departure system,
their classroom teacher will discuss and review the procedure. Thank
you for getting your child to school on time and for driving safely.
Our instructional day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 2:38 pm for
all grades, K-4.
Before the first day of school, please be sure your child knows where you intend
to meet. Thank you for your continued cooperation. |
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Request for Drivers to Reduce Automobile Idling at Student
Pick-up and Drop-off |
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This year the Solana Beach School District is asking
your help in our efforts to address health and environmental concerns
created by excessive automotive idling at schools during student pick-up
and drop-off.
Please follow this new recommendation for drivers:
If you're in
line or waiting for someone and you'll be parked and sitting
for 30 seconds or longer... turn off your car's engine.
Background Information from the California Energy Commission:
- Idling is linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart
and lung disease and cancer.
- Idling gets ZERO miles per gallon.
- Idling
for 1 hour burns nearly 1 gallon of gasoline.
- For every two
minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount
of fuel it takes to go about one mile. Research indicates
that the average person idles their car five to 10 minutes
a day. People usually idle their cars more in the winter
than in the summer. But even in winter, you don't need
to let your car sit and idle for five minutes to "warm
it up" when 30 seconds will do just fine.
The bottom line: If you are going to be parked for more than 30
seconds, turn off the engine. Even ten seconds of idling can use more
fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. |
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| Sincerely, |
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Jerry Jones, Principal |
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