Eugene Ware Elementary parking altered to make way for future construction

As construction is set to begin at Eugene Ware Elementary School as part of the USD 234 bond projects, school officials have issued some plans for parking, traffic and student pick-up and drop-off.

Eugene Ware Principal Dave Elliott provided the school's plan to the Tribune on Friday.

"The construction process is beginning," Elliott said in a recent letter to parents. "We're truly excited to get started on what will be a wonderful set of improvements to our building. While construction is underway, we will have to make some adjustments to how we do business."

Starting Monday, all access to the school on the south side of the building will be eliminated, including the parking lot and Fourth Street. Parents who pick up and drop off students will be able to do this on the extreme west end of the building, Elliott said in the letter, which also included a map and instructions for parents.

Parents who currently drop off or pick up children west of the building on Margrave Street should consider changing this location as students would need to cross "quite a lot of traffic" to reach the vehicle picking them up, Elliott said.

Parents who need to come to the school should enter the building through the door on the north side of the building that is near the entrance to the gym. For the period which there will be no access to the south, parents may park in the bus loading zone except from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 2:45 to 4 p.m. on school days.

"We understand that making any change can be a confusing and inconvenient thing, and appreciate greatly your patience and understanding," Elliott said in the letter.

Elliott said anyone with questions may call the school office at (620) 223-3380.

According to the map Elliott provided, for pick-up and drop-off, vehicles should drive north on Margrave from Sixth Street, turn right onto Fourth Street, make an immediate left onto the driveway on the west side of the building, pick up or drop off students, then exit onto Third Street (right turn only.)

In a Tuesday story in the Tribune, Elliott said the two main entrance doors on the south side of the school are closed and parking situations have been adjusted. He said parents who visit the school during the day may park on the north side of the building on Third Street, or the bus loading zone when busses are not being used.