Hayes Carline Update
Hayes started this school year with a new carline configuration to make the drop-off/pickup procedures as safe as possible, while also prioritizing efficiency. To that end, we are going to make a small modification beginning Monday, February 23.
South Driveway
For families coming from the south - Saginaw Highway - continue to enter campus from the new South Driveway that loops around the practice field. Use both lanes until directed to merge, using a zipper merge. Signage and cones will mark the merge location. If you are in the right lane leave room for merging cars. Every other car should take turns in the merge zone.
North Driveway
For families coming from the north - Willow Highway - enter campus from Penny Lane, by the Operations sign. Follow the signs behind the school where you will merge onto the South Driveway. Each car should take turns in this zone as well.
AM Drop Off
The carline will begin flowing at 7:20 AM when the school doors open. Take turns and allow cars to merge. Students can be dropped off on the south side of the school (by Door #16) or on the west side of the school (by Door #1). Follow directions from staff and pull all the way forward to stopped cars before dropping off your student. If you drop off your student on the South, you can simply exit without going through the whole carline
PM Pickup
5th Grade Students will wait on the west side of the school at the end of the school day. 6th Grade Students will wait on the south side of the school. Stay in the right lane until you have picked up your child. After picking up your 6th grader, you may simply exit without going through the 5th grade portion of the carline. If you are picking up students in both grades, they should wait in the 5th Grade carline.
In the Pickup/Dropoff zone, keep the left lane clear for exiting traffic. If you have a 6th grade student who takes a long time exiting the school, please pull forward to the parking lot to wait for them.
Please do not enter the Bus parking lot or the Staff parking lot. Also, do not enter through the exit.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are you making this change?
We are making this change now after carefully monitoring AM and PM carline traffic. There are conflict points where three lanes of traffic come together to two and drivers are unsure whose turn it is. With two lanes of traffic going to one, we plan for it to be much smoother. Additionally, several families have constructively offered this as a potential solution.
How can I get through the carline quicker while still being safe?
For the AM, plan to arrive around 7:28. Cars that arrive around then tend to get through the line in less than 5 minutes. For the PM, plan to arrive around 2:35. If you arrive at 2:35, you will most likely be in and out in about 2-4 minutes. Families who choose to arrive much earlier than those times will, of course, be sitting much longer while they wait for the backlog of cards to clear.
Where is the Operations Drive/Penny Lane?
It is near Willow Ridge. If you enter that driveway, it is typically the quickest way through the carline.
Is this change permanent?
This is a pilot program that will be evaluated over the coming weeks for effectiveness.
Why is the carline so crowded some days, but not others?
Whenever a bus is cancelled, 15 to 70 additional cars will be in the carline. When multiple buses are cancelled, this will escalate quickly. Additionally, many families drive students on rainy/snowy days that increases traffic in the carline.
