Welcome back, families! We are officially approaching the first week of the school year, and we are thrilled to see how quickly our students will settle into their new routines. They will be finding their lockers, mastering their schedules, and only occasionally forgetting their bags in classrooms.
However, there is one daily routine that still needs to be addressed... the Morning Drop-Off Lane.
While out students aren't driving themselves just yet (thank goodness), the parking lot can still feel a bit like a bumper-car arena between 7:30 AM and 7:50 AM. To ensure everyone arrives safely and on time, the front office has put together this handy "Survival Guide" for the morning commute.
1. Master the "Kiss & Fly" Technique
Middle schoolers are masters of efficiency when it comes to texting, but less so when exiting a vehicle. Please have your student gathered, zipped, and ready to exit the car before you pull up to the curb. When the car stops, the door should open. Think of it less like a long, cinematic farewell, and more like a sleek pit-stop. (Please no Hop, Drop, and Roll)
2. Pull All. The. Way. Forward.
We know it is tempting to stop directly in front of the main doors so your student walks exactly four fewer steps. However, stopping early creates a traffic jam that stretches all the way down the block. Please pull all the way forward to the designated cone. A little extra morning walk is great for waking up those middle school brains!
3. The Passenger-Side Rule
For the safety of all of our students, please ensure they only exit of the passenger side of the vehicle, directly onto the sidewalk. Exiting into the active passing lane on the driver's side is a thrill-seeking activity we do not recommend.
4. Pack Your Patience (And Ditch the Distractions)
We know you are trying to get to work, sip your coffee, and double-check your calendar. But the drop-off zone requires 100% of your attention. Please put the phones away and keep an eye out for our staff and student safety monitors. All of our children matter!
A Note on After-School Pickup: The same rules apply, but with a twist! Please do not park in the active driving lane to wait for your student. If they aren't outside yet, please loop around or find a designated parking space.
Thank you all for your cooperation, your smiles in the morning, and for helping us keep our school community safe. We can't wait for the start of the year, we couldn't do it without you!
May your drop-offs be swift and your middle schooler's eye-rolls be minimal,
Secretary Garrett
Front Office Secretary