August is here already, and summer is ending. With the new school year just around the corner, parents in Austin, Texas, are gathering school supplies, buying the coolest clothes, and snagging the best sneakers for their kids.
As parents, we focus on getting our kids ready for school but often overlook the hassle of drop-off and pick-up. It’s easy for us to forget how stressful it can be until it’s time to tackle that task.
School zones can be chaotic, and safety should be the top priority. Here are the top tips for quick and safe school drop-offs and pick-ups.
Arrive Early, But Not Too Early
Arriving early to drop-off and pick-up allows parents to avoid the rush of prime-time traffic. You can have a stress-free morning knowing you have plenty of time to get your kids to school and head into the office without the rush.
However, arriving too early causes unnecessary traffic blockage. If you arrive 30 minutes before they allow children to be dropped off or before school releases, you’re creating a stagnant line of traffic that blocks the natural flow on the roadway. Let’s face it, this doesn’t save you any time.
Arriving 5-10 minutes ahead of schedule is an appropriate amount of time for you to beat traffic without being the cause of it.
Prepare Your Kids to Exit
Before you leave your house, give your child hugs and kisses. On the way, remind them of school rules and wish them a great day. You don’t want to hold up the line trying to squeeze in one last kiss, and your kid won’t want you to, either.
If your child is old enough, teach them to buckle and unbuckle themselves. Most schools will not allow you to exit your vehicle in the line to assist them, so this will keep you from having to pull into a parking space before entering or exiting the pick-up line.
Keep your child’s backpack, lunchbox, and other school essentials close by. This will make it easier for them to grab their belongings as they exit the car.
Follow School Protocols
It’s important to know the rules of school drop-off and pick-up ahead of time. Every school handles this differently, so knowing the expectations can avoid unnecessary confusion and chaos.
As parents, we know what a pain those school drop-off and pick-up lines can be. They’re long and often slow-moving, and it can be tempting to pull out of line to find a quicker option. However, attempting to go against enforced protocols is dangerous for everyone involved. You’re putting your child and other children in unnecessary danger.
Whether you enjoy the process or not, stick with it. The rules are in place for a reason. If you’re unsure about the procedures, contact the school and ask.
Stay Off Your Phone
The use of a cell phone while operating a vehicle anywhere in Texas is against the law. However, using a cell phone in a school zone increases the charges. You can receive a $200 fine for your first offense.
Aside from it being illegal, such behavior is both reckless and profoundly dangerous. Imagine, for a moment, the tragic case of Allie – a two-year-old girl who, in a moment of innocence, stepped off the sidewalk to reach her brother and was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot. The driver, distracted by a cell phone and speeding, was moving too fast for Allie’s father to intervene and prevent the tragedy.
Students, parents, and teachers are coming and going from the parking lot, and you need to be aware of your surroundings. It only takes a second for tragedy to happen. For the sake of your child and others, stay off your phone.
These small steps can make a significant difference in having a smooth and secure start and end to the school day.
