Traffic, Safety and Where to Park
The morning drop-off and afternoon pick up can be very busy times at Thornhill. In order to make the drop-off time as safe as possible for everyone in the neighborhood, please adhere to the following options in the morning. The same options are available in the afternoon with the exception of Quick Drop.
Click here for a Traffic Pattern for Drop Off and Pick Up
Options for Parking and “Quick Drop”
1) Park and Walk in from St. John’s Church Parking Lot
What to do
- Enter the church parking lot from Gouldin Road. The Church has generously offered the use of their private property for the convenience and safety of the children and parents of Thornhill School. Please respect the church signage.
- Park your car and then walk with your child at least as far as the stairs going into the yard area at the back of the school.
- Exit the parking lot from Alhambra Lane only.
- Observe the stop sign at the bottom of the driveway into Alhambra Lane. Stop and look before proceeding.
What not to do
- Do NOT park in the spots directly in front of the church building where the signs say “Church Parking Only” (or our privileges to park in the lot may be taken away!)
- Do NOT stop the car and drop off your child at the top of the stairs.
- Do NOT park a long car perpendicular near the entry to the stairs on the left—this may make it unsafe for both a car and those walking to the stairs to pass each other.
- Do NOT park on the school side of Thornhill Drive between Alhambra Lane and Gouldin Rd
- Do NOT walk through yards or gates of residences next to the parking lot, and do not walk through the cul-de-sac; they are all private, and the owners cannot assume the liability of non-resident foot traffic through their properties.
2) Park and Walk on Thornhill Drive
Parking spots are available along Thornhill Drive near the coffee shop end of the school. Please use only legal and safe options. In the morning do not park in the Quick Drop lane, indicated by cones.
3) Alhambra Lane Drive-Through from St. John’s Church Parking Lot
This is a drive-through drop-off zone used to get more students out of their cars more quickly and safely. Children who are let out of the car here enter the school yard through the breezeway between the multipurpose room and the main kindergarten building. This is most suitable for parents driving DOWN Thornhill Drive whose children are ready to get out of the car themselves.
What to do
- Enter Alhambra Lane through the church parking lot
- Have your children ready to get out of the car: backpack closed, hair brushed, breakfast eaten, etc.
- Stay to your left when you pull over to stop your car, so that other cars can continue to pass on the right and your child won’t have to run in front of cars.
- Pull up as far as possible, along the backside of the main kindergarten building, before stopping to let out your children.
- If mini school buses or cars are blocking the left side of the street, wait your turn to drive forward before letting out your children.
- After you drop off your child, direct your car back to the right side of Alhambra Lane as you exit onto Thornhill Drive.
What not to do
- Do not park in the cul-de-sac.
- Do not park anywhere on Alhambra Lane.
- Do not turn into Alhambra Lane from Thornhill Drive.
4) Quick Drop on Thornhill Drive
This is a drive-through drop-off lane created to get more students out of their cars more quickly and safely. It is located between the red zone on the curb and the yard driveway.
What to do
- Have your children ready to get out of the car: backpack closed, hair brushed, breakfast eaten, etc.
- Enter the Quick-Drop lane at the back.
- Pull up as far as possible in the lane before stopping your car and letting out your child. The first car in line should pull up to the front cone.
- Several cars may unload at the same time in the lane.
- Exit the lane after the last cone- only when your car is the first in the lane and after ensuring there is no incoming traffic.
- Drive up to Merriewood Drive to make a U turn if needed.
When to use Quick Drop
Cones, indicating the drop-off lane, will be set up around 8 AM in the morning. Parents of AM kindergarten children and older can use the lane at their drop-off time.
Who Should Use This
Quick Drop on Thornhill Drive is most suitable for parents driving UP Thornhill Drive whose children are ready to get out of the car.
Assistance
Parent volunteers will sometimes help open cars doors and offer instruction on how to best use the lane. If there is no one at the curb to help, please proceed on your own.
CARPOOL OR WALK TO SCHOOL
All of us who drive to school contribute to the traffic congestion around the school. Help reduce the problem by carpooling, walking or riding your bicycle to school once in a while!
Whatever mode of transportation, PLEASE OBEY THE LAW
- U turns are not allowed in front of schools.
- Double parking in front of the school is not safe.
- No parking on the right or left corners of Thornhill Drive at Alhambra Lane is allowed because this blocks visibility for drivers exiting Alhambra Lane.
- It is not safe to drop your children off in front of the apartment buildings on Thornhill Drive and have them run across the street.
- A white-painted curb is for student loading and unloading only.
- No parking at a red curb.
- Do not drop off in the striped cross walk in front of the coffee shop
- Please do stop for pedestrians on all 3 crosswalks.
