Choose Safety Over Convenience

Safety for students and adults is our primary concern at Escuela Collingwood. We need the support of our parent community to help ensure student safety before, during and after school, particularly in regards to pick-up and drop off. We ask parents to be role models for all children by respecting traffic laws.

• Observe the no-stopping regulation in our bus zones and respect our neighbor’s driveways and residential frontage. 
• Use the crosswalks at the top or bottom of the hill on Collingwood drive, where you are more visible to traffic. 
• Don’t use cell phones while driving, particularly in a school zone.
• Consider alternative ways of getting your children to school (walking, cycling, school bus, car-pooling) in order to alleviate the amount of traffic in front of the school. 

If families witness poor driver and pedestrian behavior, please complete a Calgary Police Traffic Service Request.

Important Reminders for Drivers

• Maximum speed limit in a school zone is 30 km/hr. This is enforced on all school days between 7:30 AM and 9:00 PM
• It is illegal to do a U-Turn in a school zone
• It is illegal to jaywalk in a school zone ($115 ticket) and it is also extremely dangerous (e.g. walking across the street between buses)
• There is a No Parking/Bus Zone along the west side of our school extending from Carmangay Crescent to the top of Collingwood Drive at Northmount Drive. This must be left open for school buses before and during regular school days. This zone is used for buses taking students to and from school and other activities.
• The west side of Collingwood Drive is reserved for residences and is permit parking only.

Parking and Parking Lot Rules

The North Parking Lot

This lot is located on the north end of the school adjacent to North Mount Dr. and is designated for staff members only at all times of the school day.
Therefore, do not drop off, pick up, or turn around in this lot at any time.

The South Parking Lot

• The south parking lot is a student – parent friendly area.
• On the north end of this lot there are stalls clearly marked as staff parking only / reserved parking at all times. Support staff work varied hours and require these stalls at all times.
• On the south end of this lot there are stalls clearly marked as visitor parking. These stalls are for parent volunteers, and for parents that park and walk their children to the schoolyard. If possible, back into these stalls. This makes it easier and safer when leaving.
• When driving and parking, watch carefully for children in the parking lot. Children are often difficult to see, especially if you drive a larger vehicle. 

Drive-Through Loop is for Drop-Off Only

• The south parking lot operates as a one way drive through / drop off system.
• Entrance and Exit signs are posted on the south and north ends of the parking lot respectively. Drop off is on the north end of the lot adjacent to the rock waiting area.
• Help us keep the system working smoothly and efficiently, and be considerate of drivers waiting behind you.
• When dropping off – even though a volunteer or staff member may be present to assist with the opening and closing of car doors, etc. – please ensure that your child is ready to exit out the right side of your vehicle into the drop off area immediately upon your arrival.
• Regardless of the weather, do not wait, park or leave your vehicle in the drive through loop.
• Drivers exiting their vehicles to do up coats, to do up backpacks or to call to children who are not yet in the pickup area, creates traffic problems.
• If you need extra time for drop-off or pick-up (i.e. if the teacher will not dismiss your child until you are present), please park your vehicle in an appropriate place in the lot or on the street and take the time you need. 

Why is "The Loop" not a Pick-Up Zone as Well?

When picking up, we ask that you park your vehicle, pick up your child at their door and walk them to your vehicle or have them meet you at a set location other than the loop. Waiting in the loop is not an option as traffic congestion is a major concern. As people line up and wait in the loop, the traffic spills out into the street causing tie ups with buses and other cars on Collingwood Drive – especially during inclement weather.

Did You Know?

The parking lot is a privilege not provided at most schools. The lot was co-designed by Parent Council and Collingwood School administration in the interest of safety, as well as a convenience to the bus traffic at the school. Pylons, signage, and assistance are provided by parent volunteers and staff whenever possible. Anyone interested and willing to help out in the parking lot this year please contact the school office – we can always use a helping hand!

Ultimately, it is our hope that we can significantly reduce and/or control the number of vehicles that travel within our school area. With your support we can ensure that each and every one of our students will enjoy a safe start and finish to their school day.