Getting to ThornhillImportant: Our neighbor, St. John’s Episcopal Church, generously allows Thornhill families to use its parking lot. We all have places to be, but PLEASE use care and caution in the lot during drop-off and pick-up! We do not want to lose this gift, or worse yet, see someone get hurt. This applies to in front of the school as well. Thank you! |
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General Drop-off/Pickup Instructions
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
The school gates will be open from 8:15am - 8:30am for morning arrival. Please help ALL of our Thornhill students to get settled and be under our care by departing by 8:30am. There will be a warning whistle at 8:30am to signal you to leave. That way, students can be ready on their own for the 8:35 bell.
The play structure is not to be used in the morning. Please do not enter the building unless you have an appointment as our teachers are on their prep period.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
TK/K - Teachers will walk students out to the gates at dismissal. TK/K families waiting for older siblings in grades 1st - 5th can wait in the TK play area until dismissal at 3:00pm (at which point you can go to the dismissal in front of school).
1st - 5th - The dismissal area of the playground will be open from 3:00pm - 3:10pm for pick-up only. Teachers must dismiss students to an adult (please communicate with your child's teacher if your child will be walking home).
We do not have the staffing to monitor students that are picked up after 3:00pm.
The school gates will be open from 8:15am - 8:30am for morning arrival. Please help ALL of our Thornhill students to get settled and be under our care by departing by 8:30am. There will be a warning whistle at 8:30am to signal you to leave. That way, students can be ready on their own for the 8:35 bell.
The play structure is not to be used in the morning. Please do not enter the building unless you have an appointment as our teachers are on their prep period.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
TK/K - Teachers will walk students out to the gates at dismissal. TK/K families waiting for older siblings in grades 1st - 5th can wait in the TK play area until dismissal at 3:00pm (at which point you can go to the dismissal in front of school).
1st - 5th - The dismissal area of the playground will be open from 3:00pm - 3:10pm for pick-up only. Teachers must dismiss students to an adult (please communicate with your child's teacher if your child will be walking home).
We do not have the staffing to monitor students that are picked up after 3:00pm.
Drop-off Options
Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up can be very busy times at Thornhill.
In order to make the neighborhood as safe as possible, please use one of the four following options in the morning.
The same options are available in the afternoon with the exception of Quick Drop (on Thornhill Drive).
In order to make the neighborhood as safe as possible, please use one of the four following options in the morning.
The same options are available in the afternoon with the exception of Quick Drop (on Thornhill Drive).
OPTION 1: PARK AND WALK IN FROM THE ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH PARKING LOT
What to do:
What not to do:
- Enter the church parking lot from Gouldin Road.
- Park your car and walk with your child down the driveway to the school gate. Walk on the left side going downhill as cars will be on the right.
- Exit the parking lot from Alhambra Lane only (right lane). Watch for pedestrians! Note that Alhambra Lane is a 2-way street (right after the steep downhill exit from the church parking lot).
- Observe the stop sign at the bottom of the driveway into Alhambra Lane. Stop and look before proceeding. It is strongly encouraged that you turn right onto Thornhill Drive as a safer way to exit and also to not hold up people behind you trying to exit.
- If you need to travel south on Thornhill, please make a U-turn on Merriewood Drive.
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 Alhambra Lane or in the cul-de-sac.
- 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.
OPTION 2: PARK AND WALK IN FROM THORNHILL DRIVE
Parking spots are available along Thornhill Drive near the south end of the school (Thornhill Coffee Shop side). Please use only legal and safe options. In the morning, do not park in the Quick Drop lane, indicated by cones.
OPTION 3: DROP-OFF AT ALHAMBRA LANE (DRIVE FROM ST. JOHN’S CHURCH LOT)
This is a drive-through drop-off zone used to get more students out of their cars 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:
What not to do:
What to do:
- Enter Alhambra Lane through the church parking lot
- Watch for pedestrians!
- 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 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. Note that Alhambra Lane is a 2-way street at this point.
- If you need to travel south on Thornhill, please make a U-turn on Merriewood 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.
OPTION 4: QUICK DROP ON THORNHILL DRIVE
This is a drive-through, drop-off lane created in the mornings to get more students out of their cars quickly and safely. It is located in the white zone directly in front of school on Thornhill Drive. This option is most suitable for parents driving UP Thornhill Drive whose children are ready to get out of the car.
What to do:
What to do:
- Have your children ready to get out of the car: backpack closed, shoes on, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Make a U-turn to enter or exit the drop zone.
- Speed through the drop zone.
- Park in the drop zone.
Common Questions
What if my child forgot their violin, lunch, shoes (it’s happened..)? The main gate will be unlocked. Report directly to the office. If the front door is locked, there is a video doorbell on the post to your right as you are facing the main doors. Calling or emailing the office gives us a heads up about your arrival. We’ve been known to meet parents in their cars to pick up such items; you might get lucky!
What if my child has an appointment for a doctor, dentist, etc that necessitates an early pick-up? Please email Sherry or Zettie in the office, as well as your child's classroom teacher with the details. You can also call (but know that there are times we can’t answer the phone because we are helping others). We will try to have your child ready to go when you arrive. You may also come to the office to sign out your child, though we are only allowing one person at a time (masks are recommended but not required).
Office telephone: 510.339.6800
Office email: sherry.kaetzel@ousd.org | lisette.ruanne@ousd.org
What if my child has an appointment for a doctor, dentist, etc that necessitates an early pick-up? Please email Sherry or Zettie in the office, as well as your child's classroom teacher with the details. You can also call (but know that there are times we can’t answer the phone because we are helping others). We will try to have your child ready to go when you arrive. You may also come to the office to sign out your child, though we are only allowing one person at a time (masks are recommended but not required).
Office telephone: 510.339.6800
Office email: sherry.kaetzel@ousd.org | lisette.ruanne@ousd.org
Additional Tips
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!
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.
- 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.
- No parking north of the school during the school day. We have seen OPD ticketing cars here once this year already.
- No parking at a red curb.
- Double parking in front of the school is not safe.
- The white-painted curb is for student loading and unloading only. If you need to walk your child to class please park in the church lot. Your traffic team is working hard to get the drop zone ready by 8:15am and cars parked in the white zone make that job challenging.
- 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.
- Do not drop off in the striped crosswalk in front of the coffee shop.
- Please stop for pedestrians on all three crosswalks near the school.
Questions? Suggestions? Want to Help?
Please contact the PFC Traffic Coordinator at quickdrop@thornhillschool.org.
Please contact the PFC Traffic Coordinator at quickdrop@thornhillschool.org.
