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PARKING and DRIVEWAY SAFETY For about seven minutes each morning, and about 10 minutes each afternoon, our driveways are jam-packed with parents in cars and with children getting in and out of them. We'd like it to be otherwise, but parent and visitor parking is very scarce during those 17 or so minutes of the day. The numbered parking spots (most of the spots are numbered) are reserved for staff; most of whom arrive before 8, but some (including part-time staff and itinerant teachers) arrive a little later. Parents should not park in those numbered spots. Parking is always at a premium at Father Henri Nouwen, no matter what time of day. You may park your car in the limited number of visitor spaces at the front of the school, or you may park on either side of the street in front of the school. If you park illegaly, there is a good chance you will be ticketed by a Richmond Hill parking enforcement officer. No one is exempt: Teachers, administrators and parents have all been ticketed -- and the fines are substantial. If you don't wish to be bogged down in morning traffic, we urge you to drop off your child early. Staff are on yard duty at 8:15 each morning. If you drop your child off before 8:20, you should have no difficulty at all. By 8:25 (expecially in the winter) the driveway is often almost at a standstill. By 8:35, it's all cleared up again. Parents dropping off or picking up students must enter the school from the south driveway only and exit from the north driveway.  The front driveway of the school is ONE WAY and all vehicles must travel in a south to north direction.  Please share this information with grandparents, family members and friends who may occasionally pick up your children from school. Students may be dropped off or picked up curbside.  However, please do not park or leave your vehicle while dropping off children at the curb. We want to keep everyone moving. At dismissal time when the buses are parked in front of the school, please do not attempt to drive your car past the buses in order to exit the school parking lot.  It is very unsafe, as children are walking to and from, and in front of and behind those buses. Be patient and wait for the buses to leave the parking lot (usually by 3:07) and then all vehicles will be directed to leave the school in an orderly fashion. When on school property, please drive slowly and proceed with caution. It's all done for the safety of your children and your neighbours' children.