Please drive carefully

At Brookdale, our children are taught every day that they should "be respectful, be responsible and be safe."
It's good advice, some that we as adults should follow as well - especially when we're waiting behind the wheel to drop off and pick up our children. Those are crazy, hectic times and sometimes our desire to get in, get out and move on just takes over.
But it's those moments when we need to remain calm and courteous. The safety of our children depends on it.
Today, Brookdale administrators and the PTA set out guidelines for traffic around school. Heeding these reminders will ensure drop-offs and pick-ups are both efficient and safe.
The letter from Principal LeCrone, Student Services Coordinator Candy Michelli and PTA President Barb Peterson follows:

Dear Brookdale Families,

The purpose of this letter is to review traffic and safety procedures at Brookdale.  Please keep in mind that the procedures have been put in place to create a safe environment, while maintaining the best possible flow of traffic.  These procedures have been established with the support of the Brookdale PTA and the Naperville Police Department.                

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures on Redfield Road:

· Please pull forward as far as possible.

· Do not get out of your car; school staff will assist your child if necessary.

· You may park and get out of your car if you are parked outside of the “End School Zone” signs posted on both sides of the street.

· Please have your child exit/enter your car on the curb side. 

· Carefully merge to the left after your child has exited/entered the car.  Be aware of other vehicles to your left as you proceed.

· Be aware of the crosswalk area and obey the instructions of the crossing guard.

· Do not park in or block the driveways of the residents.

· Please use the circle drive to make a change of direction.  Three-point turnarounds impair the vision of the crossing guards and negatively impact the flow of traffic.

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures on Bainbridge Drive:

· You may park in any area that is not marked as a “No Parking” zone.

· Please monitor your speed and use extreme caution when approaching the unsupervised crosswalk and obey the instructions of the crossing guard at the Bainbridge/Redfield crosswalk.

· Please have your child exit/enter your car on the curb side.

· Do not park in or block the driveways of the residents.

Parking Lot Procedures:

· The circle drive may be used at any time to turn around.

· The front lot is closed to parking from 8:45-9:15 AM and from 3:15-3:45 PM.

· The front drive is for buses only.

· You may park in any area of the front lot that is not marked by red paint.

· You may not park along the curve.  The buses have difficulty making the turn if vehicles are parked in that area.

Cell Phone Law:

· Please be aware of a new law that took effect on January 1, 2010, Senate Bill 72 titled “Vehicular Phone Use in School Zones”.  According to the new law, “A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone.”

Thank you for your continued commitment in helping to keep our students safe!

Sincerely,

Brian H. LeCrone, Principal

Candy Michelli, Student Services Coordinator

Barb Peterson, PTA President