December 10, 2024
Dear Kelso High School Parents and Families,
As we work together to ensure a safe and efficient environment for all students, we want to address some important reminders regarding morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures.
For the safety of our students and to maintain the flow of traffic, please adhere to the following guidelines:
Use Designated Drop-Off Areas
To ensure safe and smooth traffic flow, please use the designated drop-off and pick-up areas at each school. Avoid using the 4-way stop as a drop-off or pick-up location, as this creates traffic backups on Allen Street and requires students to navigate through moving vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.
Kelso High School (KHS):
The main entrance doors at the front of the school are the only doors students are allowed to enter through when arriving at school.
Please drive down toward the main entrance for student drop-off and pick-up.
Remember that the bus lanes in front of the school are strictly for school buses and are designated as No Parking zones. Our handicap buses use these lanes right up until 7:50am.
Please do not drop off or pick up students directly behind KHS on the loading dock service access road. The access road is very narrow and is reserved for school deliveries and staff parking only.
A better solution is to use the access road behind Wilco and Rite-Aid for pick up and drop off, as students can access the gate through the fence down by the softball backstop to get off school grounds. Students will still have to walk to the front of the school for entrance access.
Avoid Stopping in Traffic on Allen St.: If you are dropping off on Allen Street, please pull to the shoulder to do so safely. Allowing students to exit the vehicle while stopped in traffic is extremely dangerous, especially during low-light conditions in the early morning or late afternoon.
Use Crosswalks for Crossing Allen St.: If your student needs to cross Allen Street, please ensure they use a crosswalk. This is essential to maintaining their safety amidst the heavy traffic flow during these times.
Please Follow the Directions of our Traffic Control Officers: The two officers doing traffic control are managing not only the cars, but also the students navigating crossing Allen St. One way to assist our traffic control officers is to use your turn signals when entering and exiting the parking lot. It makes their job easier to gauge how best to keep traffic flowing. Be patient with them as they are trying to ensure safety for all. Remember too, when you are driving on Allen St., that you are in a school zone. The speed limit is 20 mph.
We understand that the drop-off and pick-up process can be hectic, and we appreciate your cooperation in following these safety measures. By working together, we can reduce risks and ensure a safer environment for all students, staff, and families.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the safety of our school community. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the school office.
Sincerely,
Lacey DeWeert
Kelso High School, Interim Principal
KHS 360.501.1800