BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS
Students are permitted to ride bicycles to and from school, in compliance with the following guidelines, which have been established to ensure student safety and bicycle security.
The student has read, signed, and returned a safety “contract” to the school office. Preferred option is for form to be submitted online (Form found online on Parent Portal).
All students must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when riding a bicycle at all times.
Helmets are to be worn whenever the bicycle is being operated on any public property used by pedestrians or vehicles. Students not wearing a helmet while riding to or from school will not be permitted to ride their bike to school. By law, any student younger than the age of 17 is required to wear a helmet.
The student is responsible to ascertain that his/her bicycle is in proper and safe working condition.
Bicycles must be ridden on the right hand side of the street and in compliance with all traffic laws.
Only one student may ride a bicycle at a time.
Students are to follow the directions of crossing guards.
Students are expected to display courtesy and consideration toward others.
Upon arriving on school property, bicycles are to be dismounted and walked.
Bicycles may not be ridden on school property nor on the public sidewalk directly in front of the school between Lafayette Street and the driveway leading to the Drop-Off Zone.
All bicycles should be secured with locks at the bicycle racks which are located in front of the Duffy School.
Mini-bikes, motorcycles, etc., are not permitted on school grounds.
NOTE: Skateboarding, scooters and roller-blading/skating to and from MacKinnon School are not permitted. Additionally, they may not be stored in lockers.
A ‘Bicycle Safety Agreement Form’ must be filed with the principal’s office certifying that he/she has permission to ride a bike to and from school. ‘Bicycle Safety Agreement Form’ can be found on the Parent Portal.
CROSSING GUARDS AND SAFETY GUIDELINES
The preceding guidelines will be strictly enforced by both school officials and the Police Department. The Board of Education will not assume responsibility for bicycles which are lost, stolen or damaged.
Crossing guards are on duty before and after school. They are special officers of the Wharton Police Department, and are to be obeyed at all times. For your safety, please abide by the following safety guidelines:
1. Use sidewalks where they are available.
2. On streets where sidewalks do not exist, use the extreme edge of the street, walking in the direction facing traffic.
3. Obey all traffic lights, and signals of the crossing guards.
4. Cross at intersections where crossing guards are posted.
5. When crossing streets where crossing guards are not stationed, cross only at the intersection, and use extreme caution.
Students reported to the administration who fail to abide by these guidelines will face disciplinary action.
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AUTOMOBILE AND PARKING REGULATIONS
The concrete island and parking lot, which has been constructed in the front of the MacKinnon School along with curbing and sidewalks on either side of the parking lot creates a “horseshoe” for children to be safely discharged. Vehicles can enter the drop off and pick up zone via the driveway on the east side of the lot and exit through the west drive. Only west bound cars on East Central will be able to turn into the driveway. The left hand turn required for eastbound cars to enter will be prohibited. To maintain a constant flow of cars in and out without necessarily waiting for the cars stopped in the zone. Being that the MacKinnon School has an earlier start to the school day parents who are transporting students, solely from the MacKinnon School should plan to drop off their youngsters by 7:55am. Duffy School students may be discharged after 8:25am. Students who are being picked up in the afternoon will await their rides on the sidewalks. Vehicles are expected to yield to children and parents who are crossing.
The driveway that leads into the MacKinnon School parking lot remains off limits for the purpose of discharging and picking up students. All vehicles should use the designated drop off zone in the Duffy School parking lot.
Accommodations have been made for parking in the lot, although there are a limited number of spaces available, during school hours, visitors may also park on East Central Avenue.
*Do not park in reserved “spaces.”
The Police Department will work with the school to implement this plan. Parking and traffic ordinances will be strictly enforced. For safety reasons, please note that students exiting a vehicle should exit through the vehicle door adjacent to the sidewalk.
FIRE ALARM PROCEDURES
School emergencies are handled best when students understand the serious meaning of a fire drill. In each room there is a notice indicating which exit to use in leaving the building. Your teachers will acquaint you with these directions the first few days of school. Surviving an actual disaster is often the difference between a well-rehearsed plan and an unpracticed one. Panic is avoided when students cooperate in following the proper fire drill procedures.
In order to facilitate a rapid exit during fire drills and other emergencies, it is imperative that students adhere to the following:
When the alarm sounds, stop working immediately and move toward the assigned exit in an orderly fashion.
Unless otherwise directed, the ringing of the fire bell implies that all individuals in the building must evacuate.
If an exit customarily used has been blocked, proceed to the nearest useable exit, listen for instructions from your teacher, and walk quietly and quickly in a single, orderly line to the designated location.
ABSOLUTE SILENCE IS NECESSARY!!! When outside, proceed until the group is away from the building (approximately 50 feet from the building). A teacher will take attendance. Permission to go back into the building will be given by the teacher in charge.
Students are expected to follow the direction of the immediate adult throughout the duration of the drill.
If In all fire drills, activities in progress outside the building should be immediately terminated and students should assemble in class groups and attendance is taken.
(Please note that it is mandated by the state of New Jersey to have one fire drill and one security drill per month)