Gibbs Carpool Incentive a "Tremendous Success"

Gibbs School ran carpool incentive days on March 9 and 10 which Principal Scott Davies said were a "tremendous success."

Davies said he and 20 volunteers distributed about 150 to 175 homework coupons each day of the incentive. 

"The number of coupons would reflect a reduction of about 50 cars," said Davies. "This resulted in a 25 percent reduction in regular morning traffic around the school."

Davies wants to reduce traffic congestion around the school. Every child who exited a vehicle with at least three students on Wednesday and Thursday received a coupon that could be redeemed as a no homework pass for one subject at the teacher’s discretion.

"It was a tremendous success based on the fact that on Wednesday and Thursday, the car line never backed up onto Main Street which is a common occurrence any other day," said Davies. He said not a single child was tardy due to a congested carline. 

Davies said with warmer weather coming and more Gibbs students walking to school, he is looking forward to next fall for other ways to promote carpooling. 

"I also want to speak with parents interested in organizing 'walking schoolbus routes' to school," said Davies.

For parents who are interested in getting more information, they can log on to the walking school bus program's website. 

Davies said he gives special thanks to the 20 parents that volunteered their time during the two mornings to help students out of their cars and distribute the incentives.

"Even greater thanks to those drivers that we have noticed each morning who have been continuing to carpool since last week," said Davies.