November 3rd, 2021

Dear Highlander Parents and Guardians,

This fall, as many of you may already have experienced, the volume of car traffic attempting to drop-off and/or pick-up students in the morning and afternoon is much greater than the site can accommodate or was planned for. We anticipate this volume will increase once the really cold weather comes.

We ask that parents/guardians and students not drop off or pick up their students to and from school if they are able to do so elsewhere nearby. 

We encourage students who are not eligible for bussing to walk to and from school rather than be dropped off and picked up. We encourage that students who live within the 3.2 km (maximum) walking range of the school engage in opportunities for healthy, active living whenever and wherever possible. We have installed 7 bike racks at the front of the school for use as weather permits, to promote carbon free transportation opportunities to and from school.

If parents and students decide they need to continue to drop-off and pick-up to our school community we ask that they investigate alternative locations near the school where it is legal and safe for them to drop off and pickup (such as a residential street). From there the students can walk the extra few minutes to the school property. We have asked STSWR to prepare a map of locations near the school where families can safely drop off their students.

If parents/guardians and students still wish to drop off and pickup on our school property we ask the following;

  • Students should be dressed appropriately for weather conditions they might encounter in case there are delays getting to their locations (ie. boots and jackets in winter so they can walk safely in the community and on property). It is assumed that students will be prepared to navigate the property in winter and may have to several minutes for entry to the building so boots and coats are important. It is also important to dress warmly in case we have a need to evacuate the building in case of an emergnecy.
  • As communicated in September, there should be no-pickup and drop-off in the long bus laneway/fire laneway nor at the front circle, especially during our busy arrival and departure bus loading and unloading times which are between 7:50 – 8:40 am and 1:50 – 2:30pm.  
  • Due to recent changes to our departure times for busses in the front bus circle area it is very important that when busses are present in the circle, no one may enter for student pick -up or drop-off.
  • Cars trying to access these restricted zones may be prevented from entering these areas or will be asked to move in order to create space for the buses.
  • Students and visitors may use the lower or middle lots for parking if spaces are available.
  • The upper lot near the rear entrance of the school is reserved strictly for Staff parking only. Drivers should not park and wait at the top of the upper lot to pick up students.
  • Please maintain a speed of 10 km/hr at all times while on property as students and staff are walking in and out from many different arrival points.
  • Avoid using Laurelwood street in front of the school to have students hop in or out of a vehicle while traffic builds up behind.

We are working with STSWR and WRDSB Facilities to revise signage and parking lot painting  for implementation in the Spring. We will be engaging the support of students and parents to help with this initiative.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to provide a safe and environmentally responsive transportation plan for our school community.

 

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