New drop-off, pick-up policies outlined for Colorado Elementary

As construction on the new Holton Elementary School continues and the 2015-16 school year approaches for students at Colorado Elementary School, the pick-up and drop-off routes are changing for students and parents alike as the 500 block of Colorado Avenue, in front of the school’s main entrance, is now closed.

Holton Superintendent Dennis Stones recently provided parents with an update on the parking situation around the school, which is entering its final year of existence next month. The new school, which will house pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, is scheduled to open in time for the 2016-17 school year.

With Colorado Avenue closed in front of Colorado School, the school’s parking and drop-off situation has changed, and Stones is encouraging parents to help provide a safe environment by following certain guidelines for parking and drop-off.

“We realize there will be several inconveniences as we build the new facility, but the end result will be well worth the effort,” Stones said. “There will be limited space around the Colorado facility for parking and congestion for pick-up and drop-off of students. After talking with our chief of police and sheriff, we are presenting a plan that we believe includes the safest procedures for all of our students.”

Part of Colorado Avenue in front of the school will remain open during the construction period, and a cul-de-sac will be built to accommodate parents who prefer to drop their children off and pick them up at the main entrance on Colorado Avenue. For drop-off and pick-up, parents are asked to enter from the east on Fifth Street, drop off or pick up their children, continue around the cul-de-sac and turn west onto Fifth.

“It would help traffic flow if everyone exiting the cul-de-sac would turn and go west and, if needed, go around the block to head back toward the east,” Stones said.

Parents are encouraged to park on the blocks south and north of the school during pick-up and drop-off times. Parents may also park north of the playground on Sixth Street or on Keller Avenue west of the school. Parking in front of the school will be limited from 8:20 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Stones said.

The alley directly east of the school’s playground will now be used for bus pick-up and drop-off, he said. Buses will enter the alley from the north on Sixth Street, proceed south through the alley and onto Fifth. The entire alley is to be used only by staff and buses, with the exception of two parking stalls on each side of the gate to be reserved for handicapped patrons, he added.

For more information, contact Stones at 364-3650 or Dr. Joe Kelly at 364-3251.