• Parking Lot

    At Wahitis Elementary, student safety is a priority. Wahitis’s Safety Plan includes a policy to help ensure the safety of all students, families, and visitors to the school as they enter or depart from the parking lot and load/unload zone.

    One of the busiest times of the day on our campus is the arrival and dismissal of over 600 students. Wahitis staff members monitor student safety and traffic flow during these times. We need YOU to help us keep the students safe and traffic flowing smoothly. We want to stress the need for everyone to pay attention to our student safety patrol and crossing guards, as they direct student and vehicle traffic.

    ARRIVAL

    Travel Mode

    Procedure

    Time

    Walk

    Arrive staggered.

    8:00-8:10 a.m.

    Bike

    Arrive staggered.

    8:00-8:10 a.m.

    School Bus

    Arrive at designated time

    8:05 a.m.

    Family Vehicle

    Arrive staggered. Tardy at 8:30 a.m.

    8:00-8:15 a.m.

    DISMISSAL

    Travel Mode

    Procedure

    Time

    Walk

    Dismissed by homeroom teacher and directed by safety patrol.

    3:20 p.m.

    Bike

    Dismissed by homeroom teacher and directed by safety patrol.

    3:20 p.m.

    School Bus

    Students line up at the bus loop, based on the order buses arrive.

    3:20 p.m.

    Family Vehicle

    Dismissed when visible to staff members assisting with dismissal.

    3:20 p.m.


    Drop Off/Pick Up Zone

    If you would like to drop-off/pick-up your student, we have designated a lane in the parking lot as an unloading/loading zone. This lane is intended to keep the traffic flow moving. This lane is for “unloading/loading only,” DO NOT PARK OR LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE UNATTENDED IN EITHER LANE.

    Once you are in the unloading/loading lane:

    • Stop the vehicle in the RIGHT lane for students to exit/enter safely.
    • Drop off time begins with the arrival of the patrol at 8:00 AM.
    • If you are picking up a student after school, remain in your car and form a line in the right lane, along the curb, closest to the entrance of the building.
    • Students are to wait for you in the load/unload area in front of the school.
    • When the car in front of you exits the right lane, drive forward. This allows waiting cars to enter the right lane and wait for their child or be able to drop off their child.
    • Do not leave your car unattended in the load/unload area - you must remain in your car!
    • Use the left lane ONLY to exit the loop. DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP YOUR CHILD IN THE LEFT LANE.

    Parking

    If you prefer to park your car, please park in designated parking spots. Do not block a parked car or use the parking lot as a pick up/drop off lane. When exiting the parking lot, please be respectful of other cars and take turns exiting. When walking, we ask that you use the crosswalks and follow the directions of our crossing guards, as it is their duty to help keep the crosswalks safe. Walking between cars creates a highly dangerous environment for children.

    Thank you for working in partnership with us in order to keep our students and staff members safe, as well as the traffic in the parking lot flowing smoothly. We hope you will continue to treat our staff and student safety patrol with respect and kindness as they work to keep the Wahitis parking lot safe. Remember, all it takes is for one person to not follow the drop off/pick up procedure to snarl the traffic flow. Your cooperation is essential to keeping our students and community members safe.

    Assemblies/School Events

    We encourage you to attend as many events as possible at Wahitis to celebrate your child’s success.  Please park in the parking lot in parking slots when attending these events. Avoid parking behind parked cars as this prevents individuals from leaving.