Dear Parents, Guardians, Teachers, and Staff,
I hope you have had an enjoyable summer and I look forward to seeing you again in just a few short weeks! We have many exciting things happening at Calhoun this year due to the construction of additions and renovations to the existing school. The new computer lab behind the kindergarten will be finished later this fall, but will not be completely functional until next school year.
Next summer, each classroom, except for the new kindergarten hall, will receive new cabinets, countertops, and white boards. The library will be expanded into the old computer lab, and the old office area will be converted into a new guidance and special services suite. All hallway carpet will be replaced with tile and heating and air units will be replaced. The front of the school will be receiving a facelift with a new entrance, a new office area, an 800 seat performing arts facility, a covered student drop-off, and 225 new parking spaces.
Starting in August, the temporary entrance to the school will be through the side door at the bus ramp. All students, parents, and visitors will enter through this side entrance. If you have seen Calhoun lately, I know that you are concerned with student pick-up and drop-off. Therefore, I will attempt to explain our traffic procedures for the 2009-2010 school year that were designed by the SC Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Calhoun Academy administration. We will be following the SCDOT regulations and requirements for traffic flow in and out of the school during the construction period.
Starting the first day of school on August 18th, the entrance at Calhoun Rd. and Chapman Rd. will be closed to all school traffic with the exception of school buses and daycare buses. For morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, all school traffic will enter at the intersection of Calhoun Rd. and Johanna Circle (listed on the map as Chapman Rd. North Entrance). School traffic will move along the rear of the school and turn right onto Chapman, traveling to the entrance for temporary parking (only about 80 spaces). Once your child has been dropped off or picked up, you will travel through the temporary parking lot and exit back onto Chapman Rd. You will only be allowed to turn left and return the way you entered. Only district five buses and daycare vans will be allowed to travel right onto Chapman and back to Calhoun Rd. We will still have divided dismissal where 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades will be dismissed from the front and K, 2nd, and 5th grades will be dismissed from the back pick-up #1. Morning drop off will only be at the front of the school using the same traffic flow as dismissal.
We have provided a map that demonstrates the traffic flow for the school and we would greatly appreciate your patient assistance as we work through any problems that may arise as we start our school year. Please study the map carefully so that the first week of school traffic will not pose unanticipated problems or delays. Please plan to add 10-15 minutes of extra time to alleviate any frustrations during the first few weeks until the traffic pattern is well established and all problems are addressed. Calhoun Academy has the best parents and we know that you will assist us as we build for the future. Please direct all traffic related questions to jamiesmith@anderson5.net.
Sincerely,
James A. Smith
Assistant Principal
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