Hi Hixson Families,
I wanted to share some important information about an
upcoming event and forms that are coming home today.
Afternoon Pickup
I know, a mess and no simple solutions. On the first day of school, it was estimated that about 250 cars pulled through to pick up kids. Today. about 400. Granted, the increase today was most likely due to the rainstorm. Nonetheless, having over 200 cars come through still holds a potential traffic backup mess.
Why was the procedure changed? It was changed because there was traffic backing up onto Elm and Ambrose, off the Elm exit ramp off of the highway and under the 44 bridge. The hope was to change the procedure to alleviate the back up and move things through a bit more smoothly. The last two days were test runs on new procedures that did not work. I hear you.
What we can't control is how folks line up and how long it takes for kids to get their things and find their ride. It's the perfect recipe for a messy pickup.
So where are we at now? We have a strong relationship with our police department who want to help us so they can also keep Elm safe for drivers, bikers and walkers. So we are trying something new, again, that may be familiar to our current 8th grade parents.
The PLAN
1.) In the afternoon, we will follow the morning drop off procedures. Cars will line up through the driveway on the west side of the building to the circle drive.
2.) What will be different from the morning is that we are going to direct traffic down a little further through the circle, down towards the Moss Field parking lot to try and fit as many cars in. It will not go all the way down to Moss Field but further down so we can squeeze as many cars in.
3.) At the entrance to the Elm lot, you will see our SRO Cameron directing and managing traffic on our school lot as well as Ambrose Way and Elm.
4.) Once you pick your kids up from school, you will head down like normal towards Moss Field and home.
There are some parents who were meeting their kids down on the Moss Field parking lot before this attempt to make things better. Parents are still welcome to park in the Moss Field lot and have their kids meet them down there if that helps with a quicker pickup and exit. However, please know that we will not have supervision on the Moss Field lot.
With 2 options, this may help with the traffic flow and backups. Please know that there will be a backup for the circle lot option. I can't see anyway around that.
The downpour of rain was a message today. I got it! I sincerely apologize and thank you for your patience and support.
Solar Eclipse
On Monday, August 21st, all Hixson students will
have the opportunity to view the Solar Eclipse.
Our science teachers have begun teaching students about the Eclipse, how
to safely view it and why we are so fortunate to be in the path of totality. We will be taking our students down to Moss
Field to view the Solar Eclipse together.
If you are coming up to school to view it with your child, please meet
us down at Moss Field beginning at 12:45pm through 1:00pm. Students will be
down at the field shortly after and we want to make sure we sign in parents
before, if possible. Safety is our first priority this day to
ensure that everyone enjoys the experience.
Science teachers are following a strict safety protocol and not handing
out the glasses until they are heading down to the field. The glasses are
extremely fragile and if scratched, they cannot be used.
Today, your child will be coming home with a non-consent
form. If you DO NOT want you child to
view the Solar Eclipse, please sign and return the form by Friday, August 18th
to their Science teacher.
Also, we are SOLD OUT
of extra glasses so there will not be any available for purchase at Moss Field
on Monday, August 21st.
Discipline
Handbook
Today, all students met with their grade level principals
for an assembly welcoming everyone back for the school year and reviewing
expectations. Your child should be
coming home with the WG District Discipline Handbook.
PE Permission Slip
Forms
The PE/Health teachers are sending home a permission slip
form with your child. The permission
slip allows students to go to the WG Recreation Center for tennis, ice-skating
and fitness walks. They were given to
kids yesterday and today so please be on the lookout for them.
Afterschool
Activities
Afterschool activities will begin on Tuesday, September 5th. A detailed listing of the activities offered
and descriptions will be shared soon.
A new afterschool activity started last year called Heart
and Sole. Heart and Sole is a Girls on the
Run Team. Girls on the Run is a program
designed to empower young women to be creative, confident and courageous
through running. The program does have a registration fee but payment plans and
scholarships are available. Registration closes on August 30th. Please see
the attached link to the flyer for additional information.
Links to Forms and
Websites:
There are several attachments/links in this post because
forms don’t always make it home. In this
post, I’ve attached the following:
-Solar Eclipse Non-Consent Form
-Solar Eclipse Map of Moss Field: this map will show you where your child's 5th hour class will be standing. Students will not be taking their phones down to the field for safety reasons so this will help you find your child.
-Link to NASA for additional information on the Solar Eclipse:
-Heart & Sole Girls on the Run flyer
-PE Permission Slip form for the WG Recreation Center
With Gratitude,
Grace