Parking, Circle Protocols, and Transportation

Parking

Parking at CHS is limited, and we ask for your cooperation. With the exception of two designated visitor spaces (#39-40), parking in the traffic circle is unavailable for family members during the entire school day. All parking spaces are numbered, and every space is assigned to a specific teacher or staff member. Cooperation with this policy is important for two reasons: 1) it reduces the risk that a teacher or staff member may be late in arriving in his or her classroom or office; and 2) it lessens the congestion in the traffic circle. Thank you for respecting the importance of these reserved spaces.

Please refrain from parking in the disability spots or the fire . See information about Parking in the Neighborhood for additional information.

The School arranges for parking for special events at various neighborhood locations, and shuttle van service is provided.

Traffic Circle Protocols

Given the number of families and students, we ask for your help with pick up.

Information about parking and pickup times is included on the dashboard placards that are mailed to all families.

Controlled circulation of vehicles in the traffic circle directly impacts student safety, efficiency, and a lack of traffic build up on Hammond . We take all responsibilities seriously and are reliant on the full cooperation of our families.

Ø We rely on carefully staggered dismissal times in order to reduce congestion in the parking area and avoid backups on Hammond Street. Ø Early-arriving vehicles create problematic congestion in the traffic circle. As a result, vehicles may only enter the driveway at the times specifically designated. Ø It is important for drivers to stay in their at all times and to allow school personnel to manage the movement of the children. Ø In an effort to ensure safety and to expedite a smooth dismissal, it is critically important for families and caregivers to display the dashboard placards whenever picking up children. With multiple faculty and staff members assisting in dismissal, the regular

Parking, Traffic Circle Protocols, and Transportation

placement of this placard is very helpful in ensuring a safe and smooth pick-up process for the children. Ø We ask for all drivers to move promptly forward in the line according to the instruction of the traffic monitors. Ø We ask for drivers to refrain from using mobile devices while in the CHS traffic circle. Ø For families with multiple children, the younger siblings may be registered for Extended Day at a discounted rate until 3:45 pm.

Although engines should not be turned off during busy drop-off and pick-up periods when traffic needs to move smoothly through the traffic circle, we do ask that engines be turned off at all other times when a driver is waiting or when a vehicle is left unattended.

Parking in the Neighborhood

Even though drop-off and dismissal procedures are designed in order to allow families to drive through the parking circle without needing to get out of their vehicles, families sometimes prefer to walk with their children to the campus after parking on Suffolk . However, we urge all drivers to be mindful of the fact that turn-arounds in private driveways on Suffolk Road are discourteous and can create unnecessary bad feelings between us and our neighbors. Since parking is only permitted on the southbound side of the street, the best way to avoid the turn- around dilemma is to access Suffolk Road from Kingsbury Road rather than from Hammond Street. If entering Suffolk Road directly from Hammond Street, drivers can also turn around at the rotary at the intersection of Kingsbury Road.

The School’s campus is surrounded by two private : Essex Road and Chestnut Hill Road. Parking on these is not permitted under any circumstances. Neighborhood residents are fully in their rights to request towing in the event of unauthorized parking.

Transportation and Pools

Families are strongly encouraged to form carpools and/or to use public transportation. In an effort to facilitate communication for this purpose, the School will publish a Zip Code listing of families. In addition, the School provides T passes at no cost for children who use them regularly.

Parking, Traffic Circle Protocols, and Transportation

School Bus Service

CHS has a relationship with Local Motion, Inc., which operates service from Beacon Hill, the Back Bay, and parts of Brookline ( Bus), and from Needham, Wellesley, and West Newton (West Bus).

Newton residents are eligible for free, city-provided bus transportation to and from school. Children in Grades K-5 must live more than one mile from the school; 6th grade students, more than one and a half miles away.