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    Traffic Circulation Plan

     Link to Aerial view map of traffic circulation

     

    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 help.

    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 Drive).  Please refrain from turning LEFT on Long Run Drive 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 and Special Needs Bussing will continue to be able to turn left into the parking lot.

    The curb next to the Kindergarten playground 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.

    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.

    Morning Arrival Procedure: Drive-In * Drop-Off * Depart

    Drive-in          Pull as far forward as possible in the Drop-Off area. All parents will remain in the vehicle.

    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. 

    Depart            Once the car door is closed, please leave promptly.

    Afternoon Departure Procedures

    Drive-in          Pull as far forward as you are able.

    Pick-up           Your child will be waiting for you in the designated area. An adult greeter will help your child enter the car on the curbside (passenger side) only.

    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.

     

    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-3.

    Before the first day of school, please be sure your child knows where you intend to meet.  Thank you for your continued cooperation.

      

    Request for Drivers to Reduce Automobile Idling at Student Pick-up and Drop-off

    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 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 used about the same amount of fuel it takes to go about one mile. Research indicates that the average person idles their car five to ten 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 of the engine.  Even ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it.

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Shawntanet Jara, Principal