November 21, 2011

Random Song Quote:

Here is the Gary Neuman Classic, Cars:

“Here in my car
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It's the only way to live
In cars”

Seems appropriate given this week’s blog entry.

Carpool:

Over the past couple of weeks, there seems to have developed some confusion regarding afternoon carpool. As a result, there also seems to be some frustration among parents about it as well. Carpool is not a particularly difficult process, however it takes time, patience and attention in order to run smoothly and more importantly safely. With vehicles and children all moving, and generally in different directions, it is necessary that the priority of carpool is the safety of your children. There is no compromise in this regard. Below I will explain the procedures of carpool and make some requests in from you in order to facilitate this process.

Process:

• There is only one Middle School carpool line around the back of the school. It is in the lane closest to the buildings.

• The lane splits into two at the end of the sport court – please see the diagram – you can stay in the line closest to the sidewalk or head straight towards the median. Both lanes are used to pick up children.

• In either pick-up lane, please pull as far forward as possible without stopping at the crosswalk next to the rear entrance to the Middle School. This crosswalk is used for children to cross onto the median for the pick-up lane #2.

• Please stay in your car in the carpool lanes and wait for your children to come to you. It slows down carpool if you get out of your car.

• Please DO NOT park in the spaces reserved for teachers and expect your child to cross three lanes of traffic to get to your car. It is dangerous for the students and backing out of these lanes slows down carpool.

• Please travel in the first and second carpool lanes only. The third is reserved for the Upper School students and their carpool. Certainly DO NOT use the third lane to bypass the longer MS carpool lane and then cut in after the sport court.

• Once you pick up your child, please proceed slowly out the middle lane between the median and pick-up lane #1 or wait to move forward out of pick-up lane #2.

Requests:

· Proceed slowly through any of the carpool lanes.

· When your vehicle is moving, please put down your cell phone.

· Please watch the person on carpool duty for directions of when to move.

· Please be patient. The whole process is generally finished by 3:50 p.m., which is just 15 minutes after the students get out of class.

We understand that carpool can seem long particularly at the end of the day, or if you need to pick up other children at other schools. A safe and smooth carpool process is the responsibility of the drivers and the school faculty on duty. Our primary concern is the safety of your children and we will sacrifice speed in order to ensure it. Thank you for your cooperation.

Thanks again for your cooperation in this regard. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday to the following students:

Jacob Stern and Joseph Scwartzberg – Nov 22

Nikki Schwartz and Lauren Rosenberg – Nov 23

Sophia Kuperman – Nov 24

Sam and Gaby Ross – Nov 25

Adam Leigthman – Nov. 26

Anna Epstein – Nov 29

Mazel Tov to Emma Danziger who will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 26

There are no Athletic events scheduled for Thanksgiving week in the Middle School.

Calendar Events:

December 9, 12, and 13 – Exam Review Days – Day zeros

December 14-16 – MS Exams – Carpool begins at 11:15 a.m.

December 16 – January 2 – School Closed for Winter Break

January 3 - MS Classes resume at 7:45 a.m. – Day 4