Dear Franklin Families,

I need to address an urgent concern: the safety of our students during drop-off and pick-up. We have seen too many unsafe behaviors at the back gates on Idaho and at the TK/Kindergarten drop-off on 25th Street. There have been near misses involving cars, students, and parents. We cannot wait until a tragedy happens to change our habits.
Please review and follow these important expectations:

Morning Drop-Off

• Leave home with extra time so you are not rushing.

• Make every effort to walk, bike or scooter to school and not drive.

• Gates close promptly at 8:30 a.m. If you arrive after that time, you must check in through the front office, and your child will be marked tardy.

• Please do not put staff in the position of closing the gate while families run down the block.

• Be respectful of our carpool lane and volunteers—they are here to help keep everyone safe.

• Use crosswalks and follow the direction of our crossing guards at all times.

Afternoon Pick-Up

• Plan ahead so you have time to park and walk to your child’s gate.

• Do not double park or stop in the street.

• Do not park in surrounding alleys.

• Always use crosswalks.

• Show patience—even if it takes a few extra minutes, safety must come first.

• The Idaho gates close and will be locked at 3:10. Please enroll your child in one of our after-school programs if you are not able to be at school to pick up your child at their dismissal time.

• Students are not allowed to leave through the door to the staff parking lot gate at dismissal time.

To support these efforts, Franklin will be working with the Santa Monica Police Department to help enforce safe practices around our school.

The cooperation of all parents and caregivers is essential.

Please take these reminders seriously—our students’ safety depends on it.

Sincerely,
Natalie Rollhaus Burton