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Dear VTT Families,
With help from a team of architects, traffic engineers, security experts and flaggers, we are making the necessary adjustments daily to make driving into and out of our new drive thru as safe and efficient as possible. Given the complexities of the operation, we anticipate continued tweaking of the process over the coming weeks.
Let's expand our number of parkade drive-thru users
We are ready to welcome the entire school to our drive thru. Most specifically we encourage our families with children in Grades 1-7 to use the parkade drive thru. Students as young as 5 have been safely exiting and entering their vehicles daily. We have plenty of staff on hand to assist and people are stationed along the route from the parkade to the school to ensure everyone arrives safely to the premises.
What if I want to park in the parkade?
Since we share the parkade with Congregation Beth Israel (CBI), spaces are LIMITED! By parking in any of CBI-designated spaces you risk ticketing or towing of your vehicle. VTT-designated parking spaces should be used by
families with young children. We have ample staff on hand to ensure that all students safely get to school from the drive thru. Using the parkade drive thru is also a huge time savings for parents.
What about the drive thru on West 26th Avenue?
We will slowly be phasing out this drive thru. There will be a skeleton staff there next week to assist, but the plan is to permanently close it in the coming weeks. Please come to the parkade and acquaint yourself with this new option.
How to Enter the Parkade
The only way to safely and efficiently enter the parkade is from the east. That is, all cars must be heading west (toward Oak Street) on 28th Avenue and make a right turn into the parkade. Avoid making a left turn into the parkade from 28th Avenue.
Once you are heading down the ramp, you have two choices:
- Enter through the last door on your left (door #3) to access the drive-thru (easiest, quickest and most efficient). We strongly encourage families with children in Grades 3-7 to use this method as there are not enough spaces for everyone to park in the parkade. We will assist your children out of their cars and ensure they safely reach the school through the VTT playground. Students as young as preschool age have successfully navigated the secure walking path to VTT.
- Enter through the first door on your left (door #1) to park your car. Families with younger children ONLY should be parking. Everyone else should use the drive thru.
How to Exit the Parkade
- There is ONLY ONE EXIT DOOR. That is door #2 in the middle of the parkade. We know the current arrows painted on the asphalt are confusing to parents. We expect to have signage by Monday, but if not, there will be people to direct you. Please look for flaggers in orange safety vests and follow their directions.
- Once you head up the parkade ramp, you MUST TURN RIGHT onto 28th Avenue and then continue RIGHT on to Oak Street. You cannot make a left turn onto 28th nor onto Oak Street as this will severely back up traffic.
So, who should use the parkade drive thru next week?
Is the entrance on West 26th Avenue going to close?
Not yet! Pedestrians, cyclists, and those choosing to park at Safeway (at one's own risk) may continue to use the entrance on West 26th Avenue for the time being. If I use the parkade and park, how do I get into the school at the end of the day?
The doors leading to the playground only open at 3:10 p.m. This is to allow our Kindergarten students ample outdoor time. Doors to the school open at 3:20 p.m. In inclement weather, please either bring an umbrella or wait in your cars in the parkade until school dismisses.
Tips for a safe and efficient parkade drive thru experience:
- In the morning, arrive a little earlier. The parkade is quiet before 8:15 a.m. Coming a little bit before allows you quick entry and exit.
- In the afternoon, arrive a little later. School is dismissed at 3:20. By the time students collect their belongings, say goodbye to their friends, and make their way to the parkade, it is almost 3:30. By coming later, you reduce the amount of congestion in the parkade.
- Listen to the people directing traffic. They know what they are doing. They also want to keep everyone safe and keep the traffic flowing. Please respect their directions.
I'm worried I'll forget what to do . . .
Don't worry. We're here to help you. We have plenty of staff on hand to direct, assist and guide you.
Shabbat Shalom,
Cathy Lowenstein, M.Ed.
Head of School
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