Dear DPS Families,
For over a decade, concerns have been raised about the location of our current parent pick-up and drop-off system at Douglas Primary School. We are incredibly grateful to the families who choose to drop off and pick up their students each day—your involvement and care mean a great deal to us. However, the current model creates a line that can stretch multiple residential blocks on Birch Street. This presents two significant challenges:
Emergency services may have difficulty accessing DPS and the associated neighborhood quickly if needed.
Local residents on Birch Street experience blocked access to and from their homes.
To address these long-standing concerns, we will be implementing a trial run of a new parent pick-up and drop-off system beginning Monday, December 8th. During this trial period, all parent drop-off and pick-up will take place at the back of Douglas Primary School from Logsdon Lane.
This trial run serves an additional essential purpose: before our district invests in full-scale construction or permanent structural changes, we have a fiscal responsibility to ensure that this new loop is a functional, safe, and sustainable long-term solution. By piloting this system first, we can confidently determine whether it effectively improves safety and traffic flow before committing to the increased costs associated with building out the area.
How to Access the New Drop-Off & Pick-Up Area (see map attached)
To reach the new location, please follow these steps:
Take Cheyenne Street to Logsdon Lane.
Continue on Logsdon Lane and follow the road to the back of the school (behind the outfield of Nida Field).
At the end of the road, the system will look and feel very similar to our current loop.
There will be a crossing guard stationed near the batting cages.
Please stop and wait until the crossing guard signals for you to proceed.
We will still use six construction cones for parking.
The crossing guard will assign you a cone number to pull into.
Do not pass any vehicles while in the loop; this is crucial for the safety of our students and staff.
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
Morning drop-off will run until 7:58 AM. At that time, our staff must leave the loop to prepare for and attend morning assembly.
If you arrive after 7:58 AM, please return to the front of the building (on Birch Street) to drop off your student.
During morning drop-off, the front loop on Birch Street will be closed. Once the back loop closes, we will reopen the front parking area.
Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
Afternoon pick-up will follow the same loop procedures as morning drop-off.
The barricades will be opened at 2:45 pm to begin the pick-up process.
Important Note About Early Pick-Ups
If you need to pick up your student early, please be aware:
The front loop on Birch Street will be chained off during the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 7:40–8:00 AM and 2:30–3:10 PM
Friday: 7:40–8:00 AM and 12:30–1:10 PM
If you must access the front of the school during the times listed above, please call our DPS office at 358-3502 to be granted access.
We are grateful for your partnership in prioritizing student safety and supporting our efforts to improve accessibility for families and emergency services. This trial is an essential step in determining whether a long-term change will benefit our students, families, and community. We will keep you updated throughout the process and share what we learn. If you have any questions related to this trial run, please contact me at 358-3502.
Thank you for your continued trust and collaboration.
With appreciation,
Scott Rickabaugh
Principal, Douglas Primary School