Carpool

The daily drop-off and pick-up process at PCK is called “Carpool,” even if you only drive your own family. However, we strongly encourage all PCK families to consider driving to school together (traditional carpooling). Sharing the driving with other families saves you time, gas, and helps make our carpool lines shorter. To help you connect with other PCK families in your area who are interested in carpooling, participate in the Way to Go program.

Phone: 303-458-7665

Way to Go website (Schoolpool)

Click here to see a video on how Way To Go’s Schoolpool program works.

We partner with Way to Go to assist families that are interested in carpooling to and from school with others from PCK. Way to Go is a program of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) that has been helping families in the region for nearly 20 years. PCK encourages you to consider carpooling for your convenience as well as reducing the volume of cars going through our carpool loops each afternoon.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

In late May, we send our family roster to Way to Go. It includes parent and student names, grades, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. This is the same information provided in our student directory.

In early June, Way to Go emails families their personalized list and map identifying the schoolmates living closest to them (families without an email address will receive their list in the U.S. mail). Families can log in to Way to Go’s secure website to view and contact matches, add comments indicating special requests or preferences (i.e., “can provide morning rides,” “student is in after school activities,” “currently carpooling,” etc.), and find matches for other addresses (i.e., second household, grandparents, etc.).

A NOTE FROM WAY TO GO

Your information will only be shared with PCK families; Way to Go will not sell it to other businesses, agencies, or third parties. Likewise, we ask families to treat the information with privacy.

There is no obligation to participate. The information is a great resource to meet nearby PCK families. If you are interested in participating, you will need to take the initiative to contact families to determine interest and make arrangements. PCK and Way to Go assume no responsibility, but provide information for your use. Way to Go does not run background checks, confirm valid drivers’ licenses, or assess insurance coverage on participants. Potential users are advised to screen participants to their personal satisfaction and check their own insurance coverage for carpooling to assure they are covered under these voluntary arrangements. No drivers, vehicles, or insurance are provided. Questions can be directed to Way to Go at 303-458-7665 or waytogo@drcog.org.

OPT OUT

To opt out of your information being sent to Way to Go, please contact our carpool coordinator at 303-840-7070.

PCK CARPOOL PROCESS

Please register for Carpool to receive the appropriate carpool sign indicating your assigned carpool loop and time window. Refer to the following Carpool Flow map for a visual of the process:

#1 – Two concurrent carpool loops run during morning drop off and afternoon pick up – one through the north parking lot, entering off Centennial Dr. (North/Centennial Loop) and one through the south lot, entering from Pine Dr. (South/Pine Dr. Loop). Your assigned carpool loop will be the same for both morning drop off and afternoon pick up. Morning drop off begins at 7:35am and ends at 7:55am.

#2 – Each afternoon carpool window will have a specific color-coded sign given out at the fall Open House. Your assigned carpool loop and afternoon pick-up time are determined by the grade of the youngest child in the carpool. Always use the same loop for both drop-off and pick-up.

#3 – All cars must display the appropriate color-coded sign that reflects the designated carpool loop, time, and last name of the youngest rider. ONLY CARS DISPLAYING THE APPROPRIATE COLOR WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE PARKING LOT DURING EACH CARPOOL WINDOW. This is a critical element in the smooth flow of our process; DO NOT COME EARLY, we are not able to accommodate cars that arrive before their designated shift. Riders will not yet be outside waiting in the loading areas AND there will be nowhere in the parking lot for extra cars to wait.

#4 – Students will be led outside by the classroom teacher at their assigned release time – 3:10, 3:20, or 3:30. They will be waiting in their designated loop for pick up.

** Carpool registration can be done by filling out the online form here, or through the online Express Check-In process parents complete when registering students for school each July. During the fall Open House in August, please come to the carpool information table to make your color-coded carpool signs, pick up maps if needed, and get answers to your specific questions.

SAFETY REMINDERS:

• Loading and unloading will always be done on the right side of the vehicle. Unloading or loading on the left side of the vehicle puts children at risk from cars pulling around to exit.

• Cell phones should not be in use during the loading process. Please hang up before entering the loading zone.

• Drive cautiously and slowly throughout the entire carpool process.

• North Carpool Loop – No parking or waiting is allowed on the two-lane Centennial Drive. Do not make a left turn from Centennial Drive into the parking lot during the morning or afternoon carpool process. Centerpark Loop is one way only, turn right only. Do not block driveways or streets.

• South Carpool Loop – No parking or waiting is allowed on Pine Drive – it is a no parking zone and you can/will be ticketed. For safety, do not make a left hand turn out of the parking lot onto Pine Drive.

• Please be courteous and follow all directions from PCK staff while in carpool. This keeps everyone safe and helps the process flow smoothly.

We are very pleased with the efficiency and convenience this carpool system affords us. Thank you for doing your part by arranging your carpools early and having younger students practice quickly buckling and unbuckling their safety seats. All families new to PCK will be given instructions and assistance, and someone may even contact you about joining or forming a carpool.

To reduce parked cars and confusion leading up to afternoon carpool, parents needing to pick up children earlier than the assigned time for your carpool are asked to do so at the front office by 2:45pm.

If you have questions and/or concerns about our drop off or pick up process, please contact our carpool coordinator at 303-840-7070.