Dear Riverside Drivers,
I hope this email finds you well. We are a week out from our Winter Break, but I’d like to touch base about two important matters that affect our school’s daily routine and safety.
When 1700+ students (walking, biking, driving, riding a bus) + parent drivers descend upon 1 location we must all keep our patience and show kindness.
While school starts at 9:30 am, that is the time students should be in class, not the time they are dropped off or parking. The doors of the schoolhouse are open early and students should plan to be here early. One of my favorite lines (not sure who actually first said it) is “if your not early your late.” This is a habit that will serve them well.
Firstly, I'd like to emphasize the importance of following our established traffic patterns for student drop-off. Our current system is designed to ensure the safety of all students and to keep traffic flowing smoothly. By adhering to these procedures, you help us create a safer, more efficient traffic experience for everyone.
Remember:
You may also choose to drop off your student(s) along the traffic pattern and have them walk up to the schoolhouse. Often this is the faster route.
Have your child ready to exit the vehicle quickly
Do not park or leave your vehicle unattended in the drop-off lane or front loop
Secondly, with the changing seasons, it's crucial to plan ahead for inclement weather. On days when rain, snow, or other adverse conditions are forecast:
Leave home a few minutes earlier
Drive cautiously and reduce speed
Be patient, as drop-off may take longer than usual
In the last three weeks we have had too many instances where staff members were cursed at or who were almost hit by parents who were dropping off their students in the wrong areas. With these situations, I have asked staff to take down tag numbers so we can address these people directly.
Your help is greatly appreciated and will go a long way in keeping our student drop off and pick-up process safe and running smoothly.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
