From the Principal’s Desk

January, 2008

In this article I want to discuss traffic safety with you.  An ongoing issue at Packanack has been the overcrowding at morning drop-off and the afternoon pickup.  I would like to share with you a number of steps that have just been taken to ease the congestion and make our parking lot safer for children and cars.

First, starting on January 22 we have been able to open the Media (Playground) Door during the morning drop-off time.  In the mornings our new door monitor, Virginia Cummings, will be posted at the door as the children come into school.  The children can be dropped off at curbside on Lake Drive West, just before it intersects with Oakwood Road.  In that way drivers will have the opportunity to make a left turn onto Oakwood if they need, or a right turn towards Ratzer Road.

The Wayne Town Council will be considering a new ordinance that will make it illegal to make a left turn coming out of the parking lot all day long.  This would be part of a larger plan, based upon a study by the Wayne Police Department that is designed to upgrade traffic safety surrounding our schools.  To facilitate this, barriers directing cars towards a right turn have already been erected.  As a result, the traffic leaving the parking lot is already flowing much more quickly during the afternoon pickup.

Below please find guidelines for morning drop-off and afternoon pickup that will help the flow of traffic, while at the same time enhance safety.  Please be sure to follow these.  There is one critically important safety rule…Only drop-off or pickup children at curbside.  Do NOT let children go through the parking lot traffic without an adult.

 

Morning Drop Off

Afternoon Pick-up

Children may only be dropped off along the curb lane and by the curbside car door. Children are not allowed to walk through the parking lot, or through traffic in the drop off lane without  adult escort. Pull up to the first cone or as much as you can when stopping in the parking lot.  This allows the cars behind you to pull off of Ratzer Road and Oakwood Drive.  Please do this regardless of the entrance that your child uses to come into the building. Have your child ready to exit the car as quickly as possible—backpack ready, etc.  (Again, please use the curb side of the car to do this.) Please do not hesitate in leaving the area, watching your child walk into the building.  This slows down everyone behind you. If you need to talk with someone, please park the car away from the drop off line. Consider leaving home a few minutes early.  Just a few minutes will make a big difference in the wait time that you have.

Children are only allowed to be picked up by the curb unless they are accompanied by an adult.  No child may cross through traffic without an adult. When waiting for children along the curb, pull all the way up.  Once your child comes, leave quickly. Stay with your car.  Allow other cars to move out quickly if they are ready. Keep the lane next to the curb lane free so that cars may flow through. If you are blocking a car in the parking lot, stay with your car so that you may let the other driver out. As you exit, there is a “No Left Turn” in effect at dismissal.  It is not only unsafe to make this turn when the volume of traffic is so high, it also slows everyone up behind you.

Harry Laub, Ph.D.

Principal