CORRY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CORRY AREA PRIMARY/INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS 664-4677 http://www.corrysd.net

Teresa A. Pearce Corry Area Primary School Principal

Matthew J. Patterson Director of Elementary Education

Daniel L. Daum Corry Area Intermediate School Principal

February 1, 2017 Dear Parents/Guardians and Friends, As we pass the halfway mark of the 2016-2017 school year, I would like to take a moment and update you on the status of the car rider process initiated at Corry Area Primary School earlier this year. As you can imagine, an operation of this scale involves significant planning and coordination among many individuals in our school in order to provide the safest dismissal possible. As of this writing, 189 numbered car tags have been issued to our elementary families which cover 284 children in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5. Each day, nearly 100 drivers enter their vehicles into the Wayne Street parking lot at Corry Area Primary School and await the escort of their loved one(s) to their vehicle. While drivers may see only 6 individuals outside, inside it is a completely different story. Working behind the scenes in a very coordinated effort are 10 additional faculty and staff members devoted entirely to the car rider process. In addition, nearly half of the classroom teachers in the building are working to ensure each child reaches their designated area on time. From beginning to end, this process lasts 20 minutes. While the car rider process is underway in the Wayne Street lot, an entirely separate operation is occurring in the Wright and Congress Street lots for our students who are transported via school bus. Seventy five percent of our students are transported to and from school on more than 30 buses and vans travelling more than 2,700 total miles each day or nearly half of a million miles each year. All children at the Primary School are escorted to their bus by school faculty and staff in order to ensure their safety. The Primary School is also the point of transfer for 9 buses of children arriving from the Intermediate School. These students are well-supervised during a transfer process lasting less than 5 minutes. On behalf of every faculty and staff member working diligently to keep children safe during arrival and dismissal, thank you. The suggestions, compliments and even the hot chocolate provided to our car rider team, shows just how much you appreciate their dedication. While student arrival and dismissal has been refined over the years, I believe both are now the safest and most secure processes the District has ever followed. Finally, thank you for doing your part to keep children, school personnel and other parents/guardians safe during the car rider dismissal process. We are counting on you to remain alert and patient while you are in our lot and travelling near any of our schools. Of course, a friendly wave and a “thank you” are always appreciated! Sincerely,

Matthew J. Patterson Director of Elementary Education Equal Rights and Opportunity Agency

Average Vehicle Count Per Day 102 100 98 96 94 92 90 88 86

Total Vehicle Count Per Week 600 500 400 300 200 100 Week of 1/23

Week of 1/16

Week of 1/9

Week of 1/2

Week of 12/19

Week of 12/12

Week of 12/5

Week of 11/28

Week of 11/21

Week of 11/14

Week of 11/7

Week of 10/31

Week of 10/24

Week of 10/17

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As the parent/guardian of a car riding student, you can help keep everyone safe, healthy and happy by: • • • • • • • •

Preparing your vehicle for children to enter on the passenger side only. Refraining from smoking on school property at all times. Leaving family pets at home in order to ensure the safety of personnel opening your door and the safety of the children passing by your vehicle. Refraining from using a hand-held electronic device while in the parking lot. Remaining alert at all times for children, other vehicles and school personnel. Remaining patient, driving slowly and allowing yourself plenty of time to complete the car rider pick up process. Keeping intersections and driveways unblocked and by getting in line behind the last vehicle waiting on Wayne Street. As a courtesy to other waiting drivers, please do not enter from East Irving Street. Letting school personnel know you appreciate what they do!