The SchoolPool program was designed to reduce traffic congestion, pedestrian hazard, and/or parking demand in and around Palm Beach County Schools through the promotion of carpooling, bicycling, and walking to school. The program is critical in improving safety around schools and reducing pollution as a result of decreased auto emissions. Through awareness, education, options, and incentives the program helps reduce the number of vehicles traveling to schools each day during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

Awareness:

SchoolPool has developed brochures, calendars, surveys, posters, and flyers to distribute to parents informing them of the program and its benefits. Working with the school administration, Parent Teacher Association and other groups play a vital role in the implementation of the SchoolPool program.

Benefits:

Safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up area through the carpool initiative
Parents are match with other neighboring parents to establish carpool groups

Bike and Walk Group Initiative to reduce traffic
SchoolPool Coordinator works with school administrators, crossing guards, and school traffic officers to determine safe walking and bike route for the students.

Traffic Safety Lesson
Through our partners with the Community Traffic Safety Officer at Florida Department of Transportation, we encourage students to practice pedestrian safety through presentation and games.

Parent and Student Confidentially

As a participating school of the SchoolPool program, only your students and parents are allowed to participate. By participating in the program, SFCS guarantees that all personal information will remain confidential and will only be shared between other parents participating in the program. As a further safety step, the SchoolPool Commuter License was developed to provide the school with the information of registered participants. Students receive a license to wear on their backpack and parents receive a vehicle hangtag to be displayed in the car-line during pick-up and drop-off.

How does it work?
It’s easy as 1, 2, 3

The SchoolPool program is a matching and participating program.

1. Each parent completes the registration form online or in person.

2. The information from each parent is submitted to our Ridepro system. Ridepro, is computer mapping software used to match parents/students living within a 3 mile radius of each other.

3. Each parent will then receive a ridematch letter, which is a list of parents living within a 3 mile radius of that applicant’s home address. Parents are then encouraged to contact their matches and coordinate a carpool group.

Ensure your children’s safety, through the Commuter License Program

The Commuter License Program is a resource for the school administrator to identify carpools, bike, and walk groups. The data collected from information submitted by parents is sent to the school, so the school is aware of all parents and students registered and their traveling agendas. Once a parent has found their carpool group they must sign-up for their commuter license to ensure accountability. Included in the Commuter License Packet is a hangtag for the vehicle to access the carpool lane (if applicable) and be recognized as carpool by the school administration. Students receive a license to be displayed on their backpack for easy visibility as a carpool, walk, or bike student.

Your Responsibilities

This project demands significant involvement by your school staff. Ultimate success is highly dependent on their effort. To help achieve a smooth and successful implementation, it will be your responsibility to perform the following:

1. Designate a SchoolPool Coordinator at the school. The coordinator will be responsible for the daily monitoring of the School Pool program; this person will be a strong advocate and take a leadership role in all aspects of the program.

2. Designate a central location such as the Cafeteria, School Office, Teacher’s Break Room, or School Entrance Bulletin Board to display program information, newsletter articles, photos or participants, etc. This area will possibly house any roadway information such as traffic tips, construction detours, and carpooling tips, among others.

3. Incorporate articles about the program into school or PTA newsletter. Morning announcements, email blast to parents, memo to parents from Principal, and announcements at PTA and Staff Meetings.

4. Invite SchoolPool Program to school events, this offers the opportunity for the School Pool program to be highlighted with a booth, information about the program, and possible mention by the Principal of the program.