Carpool Volunteer Procedures

Ashford Park Elementary Morning Carpool Volunteer Procedures:

Carpool starts officially at 7:20am each morning and runs until 7:45am

Arrival and setup:

  1. 4 cones should be setup at the top of Cynthia to block all traffic from turning down towards the street during carpool time. There are yellow “+” marks at the crosswalk to show locations of cones.
  2. 3 cones should be setup at the crosswalk on the other end of Cynthia to frame each side of the crosswalk and one extended out into the road to prevent cars from making sharp left turns from Tryon onto Cynthia.
  3. 5-6 cones should be setup on the left side of Tryon across from the bus offloading area. This area has yellow “+” marks on the road to show locations of cones.
  4. 2 cones should be set out along the curb edge across from the benches on Tryon as “target cones” for vehicles to pull up to during carpool.
  5. All volunteers should wear a safety vest to signify themselves as carpool volunteers and to help grab the attention of drivers as they approach the carpool area and are dropping off.  For dark mornings a flashlight in hand is helpful.
  6. 4-6 volunteers should be stationed at the Tryon drop off area and as cars approach, they should “stack” the cars up in a line along the curb with the first car pulling up to the “target cone”. The first volunteer will open the door and assist the child/children out of the vehicle. Followed by the remaining volunteers doing the same for each vehicle as they pull up.
  7. During carpool, cars will begin to backup as more parents arrive. The last volunteer on the line should pay attention to this and should call “double up”.  Volunteers should then begin to open 2 vehicle doors each time they pull up. Volunteers will slide down the street to accommodate the additional cars they are responsible for.
  8. At 7:45am, carpool is officially over. You may unload any vehicles that are still in line, but any pulling up after this are required to go to the front of the school, park and WALK THEIR CHILDREN IN. These children are TARDY and must go to the office.
  9. At 7:45am, all cones should be retrieved and put back in the teachers support room along with all vests returned to the vest box.
  10. Rinse and repeat for the next school day!

Suggestions:

  • As you open each door, encourage the children to move quickly. Be cheerful and excited about the day and the children will usually follow with excitement and quick exits.
  • If a child is trying to put their backpack on and grab their bags, etc. reach into the vehicle, take the items they need and back onto the sidewalk. Encourage the children to exit the vehicle and put on their backpack on the sidewalk so the vehicle can pull away.
  • If the vehicle has automatic doors, look to see if the children are going to need any help getting out of the vehicle or carrying items, if not, wave, say good morning and move onto your next vehicle.
  • SMILE, WAVE and be CHEERFUL. Most of us are having a crazy morning by the time they hit carpool lines, so every little bit helps. Children pick up on the positive energy and it can help them start their day.
  • HAVE FUN! Think of your own way to have fun for yourself, the parents and the children. This does not have to be looked at as a chore!