Middle School Dismissal Procedures To Change
NORFOLK — As more students begin to return to school for in-person learning, Superintendent Paul Zinni would like to share King Philip Regional School District’s traffic plans and expectations.
“We’re extremely pleased to be welcoming more of our students back for in-person learning in the coming weeks,” Superintendent Zinni said. “With students returning, we ask that residents be patient and allocate extra time when traveling near school zones, especially around morning drop-off and afternoon pickup times. We also ask that caregivers and students use caution when walking, riding or driving to school.”
Residents should be mindful that middle school students will return to full-time in-person learning at King Philip Regional Middle School, 18 King St., on Monday, April 26.
Community members should expect traffic to be significantly impacted in the area around the school. To mitigate traffic overflow, the King Philip Regional Middle School will be implementing new dismissal procedures beginning April 26. To view the new procedures, click here.
Under the new dismissal procedures, bus dismissals will occur first, followed by car/walker dismissals. Traffic flow for car dismissals will now follow the access road behind the building, and car dismissals will not start until the official end of the school day at 2:15 p.m.
As a safety precaution, students must exit the building through the front doors only. Students will not be permitted to exit the building from any of the back or side doors. Additionally, students will only be able to enter into a vehicle from the designated pick-up area on the map.
Those picking up students at KPRMS are asked to arrive at the school after 1:50 p.m. and to not idle while waiting in the pickup line. Those who arrive early should pull up as far as possible and wait with their car off. Once dismissal begins, cars can turn their engines back on and begin moving up in the line.
Parents and caregivers are reminded that morning arrival drop-off procedures will not change.
“With the middle school conducting classes outside it is imperative that cars proceed with caution,” KPRMS Principal Michelle Kreuzer said. “To ensure everyone’s safety, we have added painted crosswalks for classes to use in the back of the school.”
Community members should also note that while King Philip Regional High School, 201 Franklin St., has not yet scheduled a full return to school date, more students will now be attending classes in person.
The King Philip Regional High School will continue with its traffic pattern that was established at the beginning of the academic year. Traffic flow will remain one-way with clearly marked lanes and signage for various routes.
“We ask that everyone remains patient and considerate as we work out any issues that may arise traffic-wise as we welcome more high school students back,” KPRHS Principal Lisa Mobley said. “We also ask that parents and students alike keep safety at the forefront of their minds while driving on campus.”
Additionally, speed bumps will be erected at each school to mitigate high-speed driving. At the middle school, speed bumps will be added alongside the pickup route and at the high school speed bumps will be added behind the school to slow down the outside passing lane.
While in school parking lots, all students are expected to stay alert and avoid distracted driving. School zone speed limits and drop-off procedures must be obeyed as well.
School officials also ask that community members abide by school bus safety laws as it is illegal in all states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Since the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children, drivers are also advised to stop far enough back to allow children the space to safely enter and exit the bus.
To view the bus routes for the King Philip Regional Middle School and King Philip Regional High School, click here.
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