Traffic Trial - Week 1 Lessons Learned
Thank you to our Ross, Sullivan, and Mac families for your patience as we test a new traffic pattern during drop-off and pick-up. This trial will continue next week, then we will return to the previous pattern while we evaluate and plan for next school year.
We have been very happy with the first week, despite the challenges with weather and some confusion. Here are a few highlights:
- We have not experienced ANY traffic back-up onto Schoenbeck Rd. this entire week! This is a significant safety improvement.
- We have decreased congestion with car and bus traffic, enabling all buses to run ON TIME.
- We have completed drop-off and pick-up within the same time frame as we have typically seen.
We have also learned a few lessons:
- Parking across Schoenbeck on the side streets is problematic and creates unnecessary hazards. Prospect Heights Police and City Hall are evaluating no parking restrictions, so we encourage all parents to drop-off via the traffic lines.
- Please SLOW DOWN and be patient in the parking lots. EVERYONE has the same goal of dropping their child off and getting on to their day. If we all work together, the process will go more safely and efficiently for everyone.
- If possible, moving a car seat from the passenger side to the driver’s side will help students exit the car on the sidewalk.
- Most importantly, cars in the drop-off and pick-up line need to pull as far forward as possible. We know that this means a further walk for some students, but it benefits everyone to enter and exit the building more efficiently.
- There are 5 entrances along the length of the building and students can and should enter the closest door to wherever they are dropped. This allows students to be warm and dry, while supervised indoors.
- The students are all familiar with the halls at Ross and Sullivan as they frequently walk between the buildings for music, art, PE, and lunch.
- MacArthur families who drop-off after 8:00am should exit onto Frontage Rd instead of joining the Ross/Sullivan car line.
We ask our parents to consider the following options that would also help make the process more efficient:
- If you are an eligible bus rider, we encourage you to use that service to minimize traffic.
- If you are able to carpool with neighbors, we encourage you to do so to reduce the amount of cars.
- We encourage you to speak with your child about the importance of community. With approximately 160 cars dropping-off and picking up students each day, it can not be about what is best for one individual. We need to work together so that everyone can arrive and leave campus safely and quickly.
