Motorists will notice the changes at Alleghany High School, Callaghan Elementary School, and Mountain View Elementary School when schools open on Aug. 14.
“We are pleased that our staff has worked with our transportation office, our school resource officers, and others to help make our traffic patterns even safer,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS. “As always, we appreciate everyone’s patience in the first days of school where everyone adjusts to new routines.”
“It is important for everyone to demonstrate patience and awareness as bus drivers, parents, and students learn new routines,” said Christina Lemaster of the AHPS
transportation office.
Alleghany High School: Traffic entering the school parking lot will now utilize two lanes for more efficient traffic flow and safety at the drop-off area used by buses. The change will also eliminate crossover for vehicles exiting the parking lot. The exit lane will be one lane. Lines in the parking area have been updated.
There are now entrances to the parking lot in the far lane (near the river bank) and the middle lane. The lane nearest to the bus loop is for exiting only. This will provide a more consistent and safer flow of traffic.
Using the two far lanes as entrances will prevent traffic flow cross-over and provide a more constant flow in two lanes of traffic. These two entrances will lead to entering vehicles dropping off or picking up students to continue left to the far left lane (when facing or moving toward AHS) to the exit lane to keep vehicles from crossing into the traffic flow. There will be cones, and AHS staff will assist with the traffic flow the first few days of school until a consistent pattern is established.
Families picking up students by car will not be allowed to “line up” beside buses on the bus loop side of the median.
Callaghan Elementary School: The parking lot will feature new drop-off lanes in front of the school. Passengers will not be allowed to exit vehicles until the vehicle reaches the designated drop-off point.
Drivers are being asked not to let children out of a vehicle while it is positioned behind another vehicle. After a vehicle reaches a complete stop at the drop-off point, students will be allowed to exit the vehicle and enter the building.
The school resource officer and staff will assist students in exiting vehicles and walking safely to the building.
Students should not be dropped off before 7:45 a.m. Students who arrive early will not be permitted to enter the building until 7:45. During the morning student-arrival period, persons who need to conduct business in the school should park in regular parking spaces.
Mountain View Elementary School: The change in the traffic pattern will occur after school. Buses will pick up students at a designated bus loop. Buses will exit the area before car-rider lines are released. Cars will pick up students in the large parking lot, entering from the second entrance to the lot. Signs will be posted and support will be provided to make the transition smooth for motorists.
At Mountain View, information such as diagrams will be provided to parents who attend the school open house on Monday. Information is also available on the school website. Mountain View is initiating these changes to keep cars from spilling over the bridge that provides access to the school property. The changes will also make picking up students after school quicker and easier.
With approximately 2,700 students, the school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.
AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.