Morning Car Line Tips!

Morning car line can be frustrating. Everyone has some place to be and the line never seems to move fast enough. Last year some of our fifth graders researched the problem and discovered some interesting facts:

  • Almost HALF of our students arrive at school through the morning car line.
  • It doesn't seem right, but it's true. Almost 400 students arrive every day in the car line within 35 minutes. Most of those students are single car riders.
  • On average, we process about 5 cars every 30 seconds.
  • Some students are ready to jump out of the car. Some are still eating, some are still getting dressed, and some are still sleeping. By the numbers, that's 10 cars every minute for 35 minutes. That's a little short of our total.
  • The busiest time to arrive is between 7:40 and 7:47.
  • Everybody is rushing to get in right before the bell rings. To be clear, students should be in their seats in their classroom when the bell rings at 7:50.
  • The slowest time is between 7:20 and 7:25.
  • Sometimes there are no cars in the car line during this time. Some parents are waiting in the car line before the doors open at 7:15. Arriving this early allows the kids a chance to get settled and get a jump on their day.

It's not just an inconvenience; It's a safety issue. People get desperate to get their child to class on time and unfortunately they sometimes engage in risky behavior. No meeting or deadline is as important as the safety of your child.

So how do we make it better? We do our best to plan an efficient system. Unfortunately there are only a certain number of staff members available to help every morning. We depend on our parents to follow the rules.

There are three non-negotiables for the morning car line:

  • Only drop off students at the front overhang.
  • Do not drop off students at the end of the sidewalk or anywhere other than the overhang. Because:
  • Kids are clumsy. We love them all, but even at their best, they slip, trip, and fall. When they are rushed, excited, or tired, the problem is worse.
  • Children are impulsive. They do impulsive things. They wander off the sidewalk. They chase cars because they forget to give their mom a kiss.
  • If you choose to park at Durham or anywhere else, walk your children all the way to the overhang.
  • Do not allow them to cross the street by themselves. There is no crossing guard at the intersection.
  • Do not watch them from a distance. If they need assistance, they need it right then. Seconds really do matter.
  • DRIVE SAFELY
  • Stay in line. Do not try to go around or cut in front of others. Be patient.
  • Do not enter the bus port area. There is a sign at the entrance restricting access.

Here are a few tips to make the car line experience better:

  • Ride the Bus.Less driving for you. We know this doesn't work for everyone, but if even if 10% of our car riders choose to ride the bus, the impact would be substantial.
  • Carpool.Take turns driving the neighborhood kids.
  • Arrive early.Plan to be at school at 7:15
  • Have your kids ready to exit the car.Fully dressed, Shoes on, belly full, and wide awake.
  • Be patient.Everyone is doing their best.

Our students and their families matter to us. The morning routine sets the mood for the whole day. Let's all work together to make every day the best it can be!