Heather Latter
The “Kiss ’N Ride” program for J.W. Walker, Robert Moore, and St. Francis Schools is set to go when school starts next week.
“We’re going live with it on Tuesday,” Travis Enge, on behalf of the Traffic Safety Committee, said at an information session last night.
“Everything is ready to go.”
“Kiss ’N Ride” is billed as a convenient, safe, and efficient procedure for dropping off children at school in the morning and for picking up them up in the afternoon.
“The problem that we have had is the converging on our schools in the morning and afternoon of passenger vehicles, buses, and pedestrians,” noted Enge.
“This causes congestion and chaos. . . .
“The solution we have come up with is three-fold,” he explained. “One is to separate the traffic flow of buses and vehicles to reduce the congestion.
“Two, to organize the passenger vehicles into a drive-thru system to drop off students and pick them up, which is the ‘Kiss ’N Ride’ program.
“The third is to make changes to the parking bylaws in order to support this and create safe corridors for pedestrians,” Enge added.
“It’s all about student safety,” stressed Robert Moore principal Bill Daley. “And I’m hopeful that after it is up and running that parents will see it as a convenience.
“It’s easy and they know their kids are safe.”
“And the greeting is a positive start to the morning,” echoed Robert Moore vice-principal Donna Kowalski.
Enge said parents are asked to follow the designated traffic flow—and warned there may be a line-up or short wait.
“Once you arrive at the drop-off/pick-up point, place your vehicle in park and remain in the driver’s seat,” he explained.
“An attendant will open the door for your child and help them in or out of the vehicle.
“Then exit the ‘Kiss ’N Ride’ lane and follow the exit traffic flow,” he added.
Enge said if your child is not ready for pick-up at the end of the day, the attendant will ask you to go around the designated route again or you can choose to park in the parking lot and come in the school
“The purpose of the ‘Kiss ’N Ride’ is not to discourage or keep parents from coming into the school,” Enge stressed.
“Parents are always welcome to visit the school. Please use the schools’ designated parking.”
The “Kiss ’N Ride” loop at J.W. Walker will be open from 8:15-8:40 a.m. and from 3:15-3:30 p.m. while the loop at Robert Moore will be open from 8:25-8:50 a.m. and from 3:25-3:40 p.m.
Staff members will be greeting the children at the vehicle and directing students to the playground, or escorting the youngest students to their designated area.
Volunteers also will be helping off school grounds during the first week to help direct traffic and provide feedback.
Contact OPP Cst. Anne McCoy (anne.mccoy@ontario.ca) if you are interested in volunteering.
For more information on the “Kiss ’N Ride” program, visit www.rrdsb.com
