MONROE — Interim Northside Elementary School Principal Nicole Ruegsegger this week announced the temporary pick-up and drop-off plans for parents and students for the start of the school year. With 32nd Avenue closed for road construction, access to the main parking lot will be congested and traffic around the area will be even more condensed.
“As you know, the City of Monroe is currently in Phase 1 of road construction which includes closures on 31st and 32nd Avenues — streets that directly impact traffic patterns around Northside Elementary,” Ruegsegger told families in an email Aug. 27, the same day as the annual Meet the Teacher. “To ensure the safety of our students and families, Northside staff, Monroe PD, and city officials have worked together to develop a temporary drop-off and pick-up plan for the upcoming school year.”
Partnering with the school is the Green County Fairgrounds, which can be used for parking and a short walk to the school.
“Over the next couple of months, families are welcome to use the Green County Fairgrounds parking lot as a safe and convenient place to park and then walk their students over to Northside School. Families will need to enter and exit the Fairgrounds at the West Gate (10th Street off of 25th Avenue) with their vehicles. Then utilize the walk through gates at the east end to walk up to the school and back. We hope this helps provide an extra option during this time of construction,” the Green County Agriculture Society & Mechanics Institute (Green County Fair Board) wrote in a letter to the school. They added a reminder that the fairgrounds is private property, and in parking there, drivers do so at their own risk. The Green County Fairgrounds is not responsible for any accidents, theft or damages that may occur, she said.
Ruegsegger thanked the Fair Board for their partnership, as well as reminded families to be extra wary of pedestrians and the danger that comes with foot and street traffic in congested spaces.
“We ask all families to use utmost caution when driving near the school and in our parking lot. Your patience, understanding, and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work through these changes together,” “Ruegsegger said. ““We know these changes may feel inconvenient, but safety must remain our highest priority. Thank you for your cooperation, flexibility, and commitment to keeping our Northside students safe.”
Morning Drop-Off
● Suggested traffic route: Parents should come down 29th Avenue to access the drop-off lane.
● Buses will enter on 30th Avenue.
● Parents will enter through the blue driveway and turn right.
● Follow the yellow line through the parking lot to the designated drop-off area.
● After dropping off, turn right again and follow the red line out the other driveway. All vehicles must turn right onto 8 ½ Street to exit.
● Parking is available at the fairgrounds if you wish to park and walk your child to school.
◘ Enter through the main fairground entrance.
◘ Once parked, please assist your child in crossing 29th Avenue at 10th Street.
◘ Students will walk up to the crossing guard to safely reach Northside.
Afternoon Pick-Up
● No regular after-school pick-up is allowed in the parking lot unless you have special permission from the principal.
● Parking around the school is very limited.
● Buses will load along 8 ½ Street at dismissal.
● Parking is available at the fairgrounds. Enter through the main fairground entrance.
Crossing Guards & Crosswalks
● Crossing guards will be stationed at two designated intersections for student safety.
● Do not allow your child to cross 8 ½ Street without a crossing guard.
● Note: Crossing guard locations have been moved to the intersections of 30th Avenue and 29th Avenue.