Dear TCGIS Families / Liebe TCGIS Familien, 
 
As we mentioned in the Rundbrief last Thursday, we are noticing an increase in behaviors by some drivers during drop-off and pick-up times that are inconsiderate and can even be dangerous. 
 
We know that more families are driving to/from school while the bus routes are longer than normal due to combined buses and the bus driver shortage. This means we must all allow more time and more grace for our fellow driving families, and also that we abide by the same rules and stated expectations during arrival and dismissal. Together we are a strong and safe community. 
 
Dangerous Behavior
Drivers who make u-turns in the car line on Van Slyke, or anywhere on Como Ave, unnecessarily endanger pedestrians and other drivers who have the right of way. Please do not make u-turns. 
 
All drivers MUST STOP for the crossing guards at the crosswalks. We direct all students and families to cross safely at only these two crossings. Drivers: be aware of these two crossings and drive slowly so you can stop when the guard enters the street, especially in the winter when roads are slippery.
Never cross Van Slyke Ave between the cars in the car line. This is one of the most concerning behaviors we have seen by adults and occasionally by students. Always use the crosswalk east of the playground. 
 
Idling, stopping or parking on Como Ave between Lexington Ave and Van Slyke unnecessarily crowds this very busy street, making it very difficult for drivers to see pedestrians crossing Como Ave, for buses to arrive and depart, and for cars to move freely in both directions. Please do not idle, stop, or park your car on Como Ave between 7:45-8:15 a.m. and from 3:00-3:30 p.m. (We are allowing one small exception to this; details are below.)
 
Inconsiderate Behavior
The end of the Van Slyke car line is on Lexington. Do not enter the car line from Churchill or Horton Streets. There are intentional spaces left to keep the city bus stop, cross-streets, and driveways free - these spaces are not invitations to merge.
Disregarding TCGIS community guidelines that drivers not idle, stop or park on Como Ave is inconsiderate to staff on duty and also to other drivers who are abiding by these rules.

Instead, drivers may idle, stop, or park on any of the perpendicular streets to Como: Lexington, Churchill, Oxford, Argyle, and Chatsworth (in purple below), and also on Jessamine, a block south of school, and on West Como Blvd., north of Van Slyke.

There is one exception: drivers may park on the north side of Como (the same side as our school), only between Van Slyke and the driveway by our playground. We will allow this as long as the south side and the rest of Como Ave remain free of cars, allowing for two lanes of traffic to pass. As the map below shows, there are many more places to park than the few no-parking areas on Como Ave.
Door-to-Door Service is not Required
It is both age-appropriate and encouraged for students in grades 3 and higher to walk down the street or a few blocks to school and to use the crosswalks with crossing guards. The fewer cars that wait for the car line on Van Slyke or who enter the neighborhood and try to park on Como, the better it is for all families, students and neighbors. If you have a student in grade 3 or higher, we encourage you to stop or park a block or two away and let your student(s) walk to school. They can do it!

Below are maps that show alternative routes that avoid the car line or entering the neighborhood at Como & Lexington Avenues.
Approaching from the North & West
Approaching from the South & East
We understand that weather, traffic, and mornings in general are challenging for families commuting to school. We would rather students arrive a few minutes late, if needed, than drivers disregard the expectations for arrival and dismissal we have communicated and unnecessarily endanger students and families or behave inconsiderately to fellow TCGIS families, staff, and our neighbors here in Como. 

If other family members or friends assist with drop-off or pick-up for your student(s), please forward this email to them so they are also aware of these expectations.

Gemeinsam sind wir stark / Together we are strong
The behavior we describe above is not aligned with our school values of Kindness and Community, or with our stated PBIS behavior expectations of Respect and Safety, of which all students are aware. We adults can and must model these important behaviors in order to keep our students and families safe during the busy arrival and dismissal periods. Together, we are a strong community that cares for each other with our actions and lives up to our values. 
 
Thank you for your partnership. 

Your Administration,
Kirsten Christensen, Executive Director
Ashley Weston-Miller, Director of Operations & HR
Michael White, Elementary School Dean
Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Middle School Dean
Esther Neu, Dean of Academic Support
Katharina Schirg, Director of International Programs & Communication
Twin Cities German Immersion School: www.tcgis.org