Dear VTT Families,

It has been a wonderful week welcoming everyone back to school. Thank you for your warm greetings and enthusiasm!

I am thrilled to report that the new VTT-BI parkade has received its occupancy permit and is ready to go. The new parkade has been designed with ample parking space, lots of light and a purpose-built school drop-off zone which is going to make life at VTT much safer and easier for our parents, students, faculty, visitors and neighbours.

This communication is designed to help you understand how we will be transitioning to the new parking and drop-off procedures. As this will be a new process for everyone, please read this note carefully and don't worry if it seems complicated (it's really not) - we will have plenty of staff on hand to help guide you.

Safety First

As with any change in traffic flows, we ask that you please use extra care as you and others adjust to the new process. This is especially important given the roadwork currently being done by the City of Vancouver on King Edward between Granville and Cambie. We are told this work will be done during the fall after which the traffic flow around King Edward and Oak Street should return to normal.

We will be bringing the parkade into use in two phases, as follows, to reduce the traffic volume and maximize everyone's safety and comfort:     

Monday, September 8   

• Families with students in Preschool - Grade 2, plus faculty, will use the new parkade and will enter the school grounds through a new temporary entrance leading from the parkade to the VTT playground between VTT and Congregation Beth Israel. This is a secure entrance that will be staffed by our parking, traffic and security team.
  
  
• All other families (Grades 3-7) should continue to park at Safeway or use the drop-off lane on 26th Avenue and enter through the front door, as always.

Monday, September 15

• Everyone will begin using the parkade and the new temporary entrance located between the VTT playground and Congregation Beth Israel for both morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.   
  
  
  
• This includes pedestrian traffic and those choosing to park at Safeway (but please don't park at Safeway). On foot, the West 27th Avenue entrance can be accessed from Oak Street.   
  
  
  
• The old (West 26th Avenue) entrance by the office will be closed between the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. as we direct everyone to the new temporary entrance.

We ask that you please respect these guidelines to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Access

We know that old habits die hard and that some of you have been doing the drop-off on 26th Avenue for over a decade. It will take a bit of time for everyone to get used to a new routine, but the result will be much better for all of us.

The parkade entrance is located on 28th Avenue, between Congregation Beth Israel and GF Strong. It is safest and easiest to enter the parkade heading west on 28th Avenue and then turning right into the underground lot. You may also approach by traveling North on Oak Street and turning right onto 28th Avenue and then left into the parkade.    

The parkade has a designated drive-thru drop-off zone as well as short-term parking.

If you plan to use the new drive-thru, which is located inside the parkade, please enter through the last door on your left (marked door #1 on the diagram below)). The drive-thru is a circular zone that will only work when traffic is moving and flowing so please do not leave or park your car in this area. Students should only exit cars on the passenger side where there is a safe zone to safely exit (and enter) vehicles. Once students are dropped off, they will proceed to the exit stairs which will lead them to the new school entrance on West 27th Avenue. Drivers will proceed through the drive-thru and out door #2 to the lane, where they will turn right and head back to 28th Avenue.

If you plan to park and escort your child into school, then enter through the first door on your left (door #3) and park your car. Please stay on the designated walkways as you make your way to the entrance to the VTT playground. Please exit back through door #2 to the lane and out to 28th Avenue. Please do not, under any circumstance, drop your children off on Oak Street.

We know this is a lot of new information. It should actually be quite simple once everyone is familiar with the process. In the meantime, please rest assured that our traffic and parking team, as well as other staff, will be on hand to assist and guide you through the process.

Q&A

When can I start using the parkade?   

• Week of September 8: Preschool to Grade 2
• Week of September 15: All of VTT
  

What if I have children in both the lower and higher grades?

Use the parkade schedule according the age of your youngest child.

Are all parkade spots open to VTT families?

No. Please do not park in designated Congregation Beth Israel spots, especially those near the shul entrance as many congregants need to park there to attend morning services. Please do not park in VTT staff designated stalls either. Parking is available for VTT on both P1 & P2.

Is it safe for me to drop off my children in the parkade? Can they safely enter the school from the parkade?

Yes. If you are using the drive-thru, there is a safe area on your right to drop off your children. We will have many staff members in the parkade safely directing your children to the exit stairs and then the temporary new entrance on West 27th Avenue leading to the school playground.

Do I need a special pass, permit or decal to park in the parkade?

No. Parents are free to use the parkade to drop-off or pick-up their children between the hours of 8-9 am and 3-4 pm. The parkade is for pick up and drop off purposes only. Do not park in the lot outside of these hours. 

What if I have business at the school to attend to outside of drop-off and pick-up hours?

If you need to access VTT outside of the hours of 8-9 am and 3-4 pm, then you MUST REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE WITH NATHAN including your car make, model and license plate number. This will avoid your car either getting ticketed or towed for illegally parking in the parkade.

Where is the school security stationed once everyone transitions to the parkade?

Our traffic and security team will be stationed at the West 27th entrance during the hours of 8-9 am and 3-4 pm. The rest of the day, they are at the original West 26th Avenue entrance.

When can I use the original school entrance on West 26th Avenue?

From September 15th, the West 26th Avenue entrance will only be accessible outside of drop-off and pick-up hours. From 8-9 am and 3-4 pm, EVERYONE must use the entrance on West 27th Avenue which leads to the school playground. This is to help ensure the safety and security of our families and manage our staffing costs.

Can I park and accompany my child to school?

Yes. Should you choose to park, enter the parkade through the first door on your left (marked door #3 on the above diagram) and park in VTT-designated stalls.

My child is in Band / Running Club which begins at 7:30 a.m. What should I do?

For early morning practices / rehearsals, please use the entrance on West 26th Avenue.  

Where do I pick up for preschool and Noshniks?

Please use the West 26th Avenue entrance for preschool and Noshniks pick up. Street parking is available on Oak Street at this time. 

If I arrive early, is there a covered area for me to wait for my child?

Our VTT playground will be the waiting area for drop-off and pick-up. In inclement weather, families can wait in the back foyer (near the playground); however, parents may only enter classroom areas from 8:15 a.m. or from 3:20 p.m.

I have a stroller. How can I exit and enter the parkade?

Until our new campus is ready, our community will use the parkade stairs to access the entrance on West 27th Avenue leading to the school playground. If you need assistance with your stroller, a member of our traffic team will be happy to help you.

Can my child use the playground after school?

We do not allow unsupervised play in our playground after school. However, parents must wait in the playground until their children are dismissed from school. Once you retrieve your child, please proceed to the parkade or out the exit on 27th Avenue and Oak Street.

Can my primary child (K to Grade 3) safely get to the parkade after school and meet me in the drive-thru?

There will be staff in our playground and in the parkade to usher students from the school to the parking lot. For the first few days of the transition, we recommend you escort your child from the school to the parkade so s/he understands the route. There will be staff positioned at different points to usher students along.

There is pick-up in the parkade on P1 ONLY. Students may not proceed to P2 on their own. 

Can't I just drop off my child on Oak Street and 27th as I'm driving to work?

Absolutely not! Oak Street is an extremely busy corridor with cars rushing down the road. Additionally, stopping is not permitted along Oak Street during rush hour. Please put safety over convenience and NEVER let your child out of the car on Oak Street.

My child goes to the Learning Commons or attends an extra curricular activity after school. How should I retrieve him/her?

Until 4 p.m., all parents are to use the parkade and enter through the entrance at West 27th Avenue (playground entrance). From 4:00-4:30, please enter through the entrance on West 26th Avenue. Please be PROMPT!

I'm worried I'll forget what to do . . .

Don't worry. We're here to help you. For the first few weeks of the transition, we will have plenty of staff on hand to direct, assist and guide you.