With classes beginning next week, the following letter is being mailed to inform parents of the recent traffic plan changes at Manning Elementary.
August 22nd, 2017
Manning Parents & Families,
We are writing to inform you of some very recent changes to our traffic plan at Manning Elementary. As many of you know, since construction began last summer on the new Manning School building, Manning families have been able to utilize additional parking at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints across the street (corner of Park Avenue and 9th Street) during drop-off and pick-up times, as well as during special school events. This arrangement was the result of a verbal agreement between RRGSD and the Church, and worked well last school year. However, the Church has shared that they are no longer willing to allow the use of their parking lot without an extensive insurance policy. Though the RRGSD Board of Trustees has attempted over the last several months to come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Church, we have been unable to reach an agreement. Hence, parent parking at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is no longer a part of our Manning traffic plan, and is no longer sanctioned by RRGSD. Manning parents should not park in this lot during drop-off, pick-up, or any school events. If you choose to do so, it is at your own risk.
We know that this change will be an inconvenience to many families, especially parents of incoming kindergarteners who may wish to park and walk their child to class during the first few weeks of school. With that being said, student safety is our first priority during arrival and dismissal, and so we want to offer some information that will hopefully alleviate some of the stress:
Parent parking is allowed at the paved lot by the track ONLY. Parents who wish to walk their children to class may want to arrive early to secure a space in this lot (classroom doors open at 7:45).
Classrooms open for students at 7:45; supervision is only provided before that point for students enrolled in the Place to Play program. Please be mindful of this if you plan to arrive before 7:45.
While we do have a crossing guard stationed at the back of campus on Virginia Avenue, this is intended for our walkers only and not for parent parking. Please refrain from using this area for drop-off or pick-up, as it creates an unsafe situation for students due to construction traffic.
The queue is the safest and most time-efficient way to drop off and pick up your child each day. Staff members are there to greet students starting at 7:45 each morning, and will assist our youngest students in getting to their classrooms. Based on last year’s data, the average morning wait time in the car line is under 15 minutes. We encourage families to utilize this queue to help make traffic flow as safely and smoothly as possible!
We appreciate your cooperation and flexibility as we adjust to this change. We ask that you bear with us as we work toward full completion of the new Manning Elementary, and want to ensure our school community that once demolition of the current Manning building is complete in August 2018, we will have adequate parking for our families. As always, thank you for your continued support of Manning Elementary and RRGSD!
Sincerely,
Lauren G. Hinnant
Principal, Manning Elementary School