Friday, March 29, 2024

Dawson, Eubanks Change Campus Traffic Patterns

In an effort to address traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, Carroll Independent School District is announcing new traffic flow patterns for the 2013-2014 school year at Dawson Middle and Eubanks Intermediate schools.

The biggest change, according to school officials, is the relocation of school buses to the main front drive of both campuses at the afternoon dismissal time only. Parents will be asked to use a separate back loop to pick up students after school each day.

At Dawson Middle School, parents are encouraged to use the north entrance off of Kimball Avenue to drive around to the back of the campus to pick up students (no substantive change).

At Eubanks, parents will be asked to enter the farthest south driveway off of Kimball Avenue, follow the road to the back of the campus and then veer right into the lot nearest the EIS building to pick up car riders at the back. Parents will then follow the loop back out onto Kimball Avenue. EIS staff will help students safely to parent vehicles. Traffic cones and directional signage will assist parents until the new traffic pattern becomes routine and/or permanent.

Parents with students at both DMS and EIS may pick a parent loop of your choice (EIS or DMS) but be sure to communicate that with your student at DMS AND your student at EIS before pick-up time.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The CISD school buses will be utilizing the main front drive at afternoon dismissal time, and parent traffic will not be allowed through that part of the campus between 3 and 4 p.m. Parents or visitors to the two schools may enter the parking lot if they have an after-school appointment, but parents should not pull into that area expecting to pick up students because no car riders will be dismissed at the front of the campus.

“We’ve discussed the changes with our Transportation Department and believe that the front driveway is the best location to stack the 14 buses that serve Dawson and Eubanks,” said DMS Principal Ryan Wilson. “In the afternoons these buses load and leave at the same time. The campus School Resource Officers will assist with traffic flow at the front of the building. Parents will be asked to pick students up at the back of the building.”

Administrators for both DMS and EIS will be stationed at the back of the campus during dismissal time to help direct parent traffic in the afternoon. The overall goal of the new plan is to help ensure student safety and to eliminate afternoon congestion in parent lines.

The morning pick-up and drop-off routines will not change. Buses in the morning arrive at staggered times and will drive to the back of the campus to drop off students as they have in the past. Eubanks parents can use the front of the building to drop off students; but please utilize the back parent loop to pick students up at the end of the day.

Copies of maps are provided for parents and staff to understand the revised traffic flow. School officials will help communicate the changes and then will accept feedback from parents and staff before adding permanent changes or signage. Click here to download/ print the new morning drop off traffic pattern. Click here to download/ print the new afternoon traffic pattern.

“We are concerned about the volume of cars and parents who are trying to pick up students at the end of the day at Eubanks,” said Principal Deana Steeber. “We are asking for everyone’s cooperation as we make some changes for the safety of our students. We will evaluate the situation for any necessary adjustments as we progress through the first few weeks of school.”

To reiterate, Dawson parents should continue to utilize the north parent loop to the back of the building to drop off and pick up students. Please do not use the main front drive at dismissal time; buses will be occupying that area.

Eubanks parents may drop students off in the morning at the front of the campus but should use the far south entrance to the back of the campus loop to pick students up in the afternoon.

A safety hotline has been established to accept comments and suggestions about all CISD-related safety issues. Please be patient as everyone learns the new procedures and then feel free to share your input with us on the #SAFEdragon hotline 817-949-5190.

EIS Morning Arrival:

  • Parents drop off in driveway at the front of the building.
  • Buses drop off at the back of the building.

EIS Afternoon Dismissal (between 3 and 4 p.m.):

  • Parents pick up at the back of the building.
  • Buses pick up at the front of the building.
Visitors or those with appointments may utilize front parking lot/entrances at all times. Parents are free to use the front drive at the school EXCEPT during 3 and 4 p.m. on school days.

DMS Morning Arrival:

  • Parents drop off in back of the building.
  • Buses drop off at the back of the building.

DMS Afternoon Dismissal (between 3 and 4 p.m.):

  • Parents pick up at the back of the building.
  • Buses pick up at the front of the building.

EIS Sixth Graders Square Off In Battle Of The Books

A group of Eubanks Intermediate School sixth graders went to battle over their knowledge of books Friday, May 17.

Four teams competed for this year’s championship in the 13th annual event that challenges reading comprehension skills. The teams included: Radioactive Readers, Texas Readers, Ghostly Banana Readers and Neon Nouns. In the end, the Texas Readers were victorious. The team was led by captain, Bailey Meyer. Fellow team members were: Madeline Oberle, Peter Adams, Sahaj Singh, Max Hirshman and Ryan Seltzer. This was a record-breaking year for EIS as sixth graders read more than 1,146 books in preparation for the battle.

The Battle of the Books is coordinated by EIS librarian Lucy Drenka.

Eubanks Hosts Fine Arts Night

Join the campus Friday, April 19 from 6-8 p.m. for “A Celebration of the Fine Arts”. This event will showcase many talents that students bring to school each day.

Visitors to the school can view student artwork and enjoy performances from Eubanks Intermediate School singers, dangers, guitarists, pianists and band students. There will be pizza, snacks and water available for purchase from the EIS PTO. Guests can also purchase tickets to win “teacher treats” and an ice cream during the event. All proceeds benefit the Eubanks PTO and the school.