Traffic FAQ
Why all the rules?
Because SAFETY is the number one concern for all our children.
Why do I need to cross at the crosswalks at all times?
It may be convenient to cross in the middle of the driveway to get to your parked car and there may be no other cars around, but that might be the most dangerous time of all. Imagine: it's past 8 am and most of the traffic has cleared, but a late parent is hurrying to get their child to school. They're speeding down the driveway to get to the office. S/he's looking ahead to the destination and s/he's not going to see you or your young child.
Why do I have to hold my young child's hand especially when there's traffic around?
It's common sense -- young children get excited and don't always remember what they've been told. They see something interesting across the driveway or want to catch up with a friend or older sibling. They'll make a dash to cross the driveway and perhaps the crossing guard has already motioned a car forward...
 Why can't I open the trunk while in the drop-off lane?
My kid has to get her cello out of the trunk.
With cars lined up and moving forward, it is very dangerous to get between two cars. The driver of the car right behind may see you, but the one behind it may not. One accidental bump and a roll forward and you may be pinned between two cars. What if it's not you, but your child trying to get something from the trunk? Better option--park your car, then remove items from the trunk, and cross at the crosswalks.
Why can't I use the cell phone while driving on Hoover grounds?
Even if you have a handsfree device, talking while driving is not a safe practice.
You need your maximum focus while driving in an environment with lots of children milling about, stop and go traffic, and lane changes. No matter how careful you are, you simply can't split your time thinking about scheduling a meeting or making critical decisions about a project at work while being vigilantly aware of all the potentially dangerous driving scenarios in the school driveway.
Why can't I just park my car in the pick-up lane and go to the office for a minute?
If it's near 8 am, noon, 1:30 pm on Wednesdays, 2 pm, or 2:30 pm, you definitely cannot park and abandon your car in the pick-up lane. If it takes more time than you expected, you're holding up the entire school and that is just not considerate or right. You can park for a few minutes in the drop-off/pick-up lane if it isn't during the morning/afternoon rush. However, you have to be aware that kinders get out at different times throughout the year and you may be interfering with their traffic flow. Also, drivers for field trips may need to line up at this zone to get students and you may be blocking them.
Why do I have to pull up so close to the car ahead of me?
I want to stay in the shady spot.
Pulling up close to the car in front of you will prevent cars in the back from overflowing out to East Charleston Road. Being a choice school, we have to handle more traffic than regular neighborhood schools since we have kids coming in from all over Palo Alto. As parents in the Hoover community, we need to be considerate of others and help each other move efficiently and safely through times of the heavy traffic.
Why can't I have my child look for my car and have him/her run to the back of the pick-up lane?
It is tempting to have your child run up to your car so you can to pull out of the pick-up lane as fast as possible. After all, isn't that helping to move things along? However, having students disperse randomly becomes chaotic and accidents can happen. Cars are moving forward and children are running along side never knowing when the car will come to a stop. Stopping in the middle of the pick-up lane to let your child in when there is space to move forward is also not safe. When the students line up according to grade level at the pick-up point, the teachers can ensure that each child gets safely into the car. Teachers are up in front loading three cars at a time. Please wait your turn. Also, the crossing guards give priority to those in the pick-up lanes who are ready to go. If you're in the left lane, you'll still have to wait for the crossing guard to let you through.
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Copyright 2009-10 Herbert Hoover Elementary School All rights reserved. 
Plase also see 
Cars with kindergartners should stay in the right lane when entering Hoover.
Cars with students other than kindergartners should stay in the left lane when entering Hoover.
Enter Hoover, stay on the right lane, and proceed at 5 mph to the main pick-up area. Pull up as close as possible to the third pedestrian crossing, near the Hoover administration building. Line up along the curb with minimal space between cars. 
Drive at 5 mph on Hoover grounds at all times.
Cross only at pedestrian crossings at all times especially with kids.
Children MUST be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat)