January 31st, 2024 - P.S. 211's Update to Parents Regarding Arrivals and Dismissals
Dear families and staff of P.S. 211 Elm Tree Elementary School,
We would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an update regarding our new Arrivals and Dismissals Procedures which we will begin enforcing starting on Monday, February 5th, 2024!
As we strive to ensure the safety and efficiency of our school's arrival and dismissal procedures, we kindly request your proactive participation in addressing several key areas of concern. Your cooperation and support are essential in creating a safer environment for all students and families.
- Arrival/Dismissal Double Parking: We have observed instances of double parking during arrival and dismissal times, causing congestion and safety hazards. Please refrain from double parking and utilize designated drop-off and pick-up zones. By doing so, we can mitigate traffic congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow. In addition to loading and unloading our bus students safely. In addition, we would like to remind all families that this is a school zone, adhere to speed limits and street traffic signs.
- Families Crossing Between Buses: It has come to our attention that some families are crossing in between buses, which poses significant risks to their safety. We urge all families to use designated crosswalks and follow the guidance of our crossing guard and supporting staff. This simple precaution can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of everyone.
- Beginning Monday, February 5th, during dismissal, we will initiate a rerouting of our families to exit through the soccer field to provide additional support for crossing the street safely. Please respect the space of all classes exiting as well.
- Revisiting Traffic Flow in the Yard: Our team is consistently reassessing the traffic flow within the school yard to enhance efficiency and safety. We greatly value your feedback and cooperation in adhering to designated routes and posts. Together, we can optimize the movement of family traffic in and out of the yard, reducing congestion and minimizing delays.
- Street Vendors on School Side Corner and sidewalks: The presence of street vendors on the school side corner and sidewalk adds to congestion during peak hours, particularly impacting the safety of our crossing guard, students, and pedestrians. We encourage you to support initiatives aimed at relocating street vendors to less congested areas (on Con Ed Side across the street), thus reducing traffic hazards around the school vicinity.
- City Buses Congestion: The congestion caused by double parking not only affects our school community but also impacts city buses attempting to navigate through the area. This can lead to delays and safety concerns for commuters. By avoiding double parking and ensuring smooth traffic flow, we can alleviate congestion and facilitate the movement of city buses.
Additionally, we'd like to remind all families that motorized scooters are not to be utilized on the sidewalk or in the main schoolyard. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of all pedestrians, especially during high-traffic times such as arrival and dismissal. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to this guideline.
Your cooperation in addressing these concerns is crucial in fostering a safe and orderly environment for our students, staff, and families. Together, we can make a significant impact in enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of our school's arrival and dismissal procedures.
Thank you for your attention to these matters, and please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or suggestions.
For more information, feel free to contact Ms. Gisella Catarine, our school’s Parent Coordinator, at 929-260-0084 or through our various communication apps such as our school’s very own Elm Tree Elementary phone application!
Have a wonderful rest of your week!
Sincerely,
P.S. 211 Elm Tree Family