The Weekly Update #4

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On February 12, 2025, the City of Alma released information about the Pine Avenue street closure. This special newsletter informs you about the transportation plan for students attending Pine Avenue Elementary School and the routes parents can take with students at Pine Avenue, Hillcrest, and Luce Road. In addition, I will thoroughly review student drop-off and pick-up procedures. Please note that based on the feedback our team received, we have made additions to the previous information sent out. This plan has been developed to ensure your child's safety, school attendance, and academic program. The closure will start on March 3, 2025, and remain in effect for the rest of the school year. Throughout this newsletter, I will explain the procedures and maps for traffic flow around Pine Avenue street closure.

As we work with the City of Alma and navigate the flow of traffic and the closure of the street Pine Avenue, the safety of our students is our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns, or if there's anything I can do to make this transition easier, please don't hesitate to let me know. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Together, we can create safe and effective routes to Pine Avenue Elementary.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

Only APS buses, Dean Transportation, Alma Transit, and any vehicle with a Pine Avenue office-issued parking pass can enter East Washington to gain access to Pine Avenue Elementary School. Assigned paraprofessionals will be checking for the parking pass. They will be wearing high-visibility vests and will be easily identifiable.

Euclid Ball Field Drop-Off:

• Parents can bring their Pine Avenue students to the Euclid Ball Field parking lot at 7:35 a.m. for transport to Pine Avenue. Students will board the bus upon exiting their parent/guardian's vehicle. The bus will remain at Euclid Ball Field until 7:45 a.m. and depart to Pine Avenue Elementary promptly at 7:45 a.m.
• Bus Stop Supervision: Rest assured, paraprofessionals will supervise the safety of our students on the bus and in the parking lot to ensure their safety.

Euclid Ball Field Pick-Up:

• Parents can pick up their child after school at the Euclid Ball Field at 3:15 p.m. Students will board the bus at Pine at the end of the school day. The bus will exit Pine Avenue and take students to Euclid Ball Field. Students not picked up by 3:20 p.m. will be returned to Pine Avenue Elementary School.
• Bus Stop Supervision: Paraprofessionals will supervise students on the bus and parking lot. A sign will be posted to let you know that the bus has departed to Pine Avenue Elementary.
• Please know that Euclid Ball Field has ample spaces for parents to park and wait.

We know that several Pine Avenue Elementary students have siblings attending Luce Road or Hillcrest. Below is a map that outlines a path for the Euclid Ball Field.

Walking to Pine Avenue Elementary:

• Parents who have been using DLPMS or AHS to drop off and pick up their children since the beginning of the school year may continue to follow this routine. Please know that sidewalk is closed and must take the detour walking path. Please see the map below. Students will cross at Warwick and walk down to Pine Avenue Elementary. Please see and follow the flow of traffic on the map below.
• Students walking from other streets, such as East End, Richmond, River, etc., will continue to walk to Pine Avenue Elementary School.

Walking Supervision: Paraprofessionals have been assigned to walk both directions of Pine Avenue to ensure our students' safety. They will be wearing high-visibility vests and will be easily identifiable.

We understand students have appointments during the school day, and parents must pick up their children. During the school day, parents will have access to the parking lot entry. Please be aware that the intersection of Washington and Pine will be milled and will be rough.

Students participating in the after-school tutoring program will pick up their child at Pine Avenue when tutoring ends. Parents will use Washington Street to enter the Pine Avenue Elementary School parking lot.