Transportation

Dear Peninsula High School and Purdy Elementary staff and families,

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced a project on State Route 16 and State Route 302 which will affect staff, students, and families’ ability to park on Purdy Lane NW near Peninsula High School, and may affect traffic at Purdy Elementary.

This spring, WSDOT crews will pave Purdy Lane Northwest for future use as a detour road while State Route 302/Purdy Drive is closed to remove an old culvert and replaced with a large bridge. Once the paving of Purdy Lane is complete and a temporary traffic signal is installed at 144th and Purdy Lane NW, Purdy Drive will be closed to all traffic.

Starting Tuesday night, March 21, "NO PARKING" signs will be posted along Purdy Lane, according to WSDOT. The shoulder area of Purdy Lane will be paved "in the very near future" to provide adequate room for detoured traffic. 

Starting Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., travelers will see single-lane closures in each direction on SR 302 while WSDOT crews install signal poles and wiring. Crews will also close lanes on 144th Street NW and Purdy Lane NW during this time.

According to WSDOT, once weather conditions improve an official start date will be announced. The paving of Purdy Lane NW is expected to begin in spring.

Staff and students should expect:

• No parking along Purdy Lane NW;
• Signed detour routes;
• Temporary traffic signals;
• Reduced speed limits; and
• Contractor and construction trucks hauling project materials.

Why is WSDOT doing this work?

Purdy Creek is home to juvenile and adult salmon populations, and the existing culvert under SR 302 is challenging for the fish to navigate. To remedy this, WSDOT crews will remove and replace the old culvert with a 77-foot-long bridge. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that this work will open 6.5 miles of habitat for the fish.

WSDOT has removed fished barriers under state highways since 1991. A 2013 federal court injunction also requires WSDOT to correct culverts that are barriers to salmon and steelhead within the case area in western Washington. Purdy Creek is among those included in the federal injunction.

For more information visit - https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-16-and-sr-302-spur-purdy-Creeks-remove-fish-barriers-and-paving.

More information and an official start date will be shared once announced by WSDOT.

Please review the following bus safety topics with your student:

Our goal in Transportation is to make the trip to and from school as safe and pleasant as possible for all District students. In an effort to make this happen, please be aware of the following:

• It is important for students to know their home address and drop off address.
• Students need to arrive at bus stops 7-10 minutes prior to bus time.
• Stop, look, listen and cross only in front of the bus.
• Remain seated while the bus is in motion.
• All articles must be contained safely; no glass or flammable items, musical instruments must fit on student’s lap.
• Inappropriate language, harassment, or bullying on the school bus will not be tolerated.
• For your student’s safety, video and audio surveillance is being utilized on most buses. Notices are posted inside the buses that include audio surveillance. As of 2014, Policy and Procedures, 8180 / 8180P    and Student Handbooks were updated to include details of our audio surveillance policy.
• If your student misses the bus, take him or her to the next bus stop. Do not let students run alongside the bus.
• All regular school bus routes are posted on the district website.

Some important information and reminders regarding school transportation

• Delays: School bus route pick-up and drop-off times may be delayed.
   
• Staying Updated: We are committed to keeping you updated regarding ETA changes in bus transportation. Whenever there is anticipated delay, we will work to communicate that information promptly via email and/or text notification. 
   
• Working Together: During pick-up and drop-off times at schools, please be mindful of school buses entering and leaving school parking lots.
  
  Schools throughout our district have various pick-up/drop-off logistical layouts, which can create congestion points.
  
  When driving or parking at your school, please ensure buses are able to enter and leave school facilities to allow for routes to remain on time.
  
  If you are able, we encourage you to have your child ride the bus. This allows for less traffic in and out of our school parking lots.
  
  We appreciate your patience with our drivers. 
   
• Staffing Shortage: The national school bus driver staffing shortage is impacting our district as well. Our bus drivers and staff are doing their very best while we work with fewer bus driving staff and substitutes than past school years.
  
  If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a bus driver, paid training is provided and no experience is necessary. Visit psd401.net/jobs for more information.

The safety of our students is our top priority and we appreciate your understanding as we work to make our transportation more efficient.

If you would like to request transportation for your student(s) and their transportation needs fall into a category below, please fill out this form.

• You live outside of the Peninsula School District boundary area
• You live within walking distance to school
• You live out of the attendance boundary
• You would like to use an existing bus stop other than the stop the student is assigned to

Once signed, the transportation department will contact you at the number provided to inform you how we can help with your student’s transportation needs. 

Transportation Release Form

• Early Dismissal Schedule

  • Elementary Schools:  9:00 am - 12:15 pm
  • Middle Schools:  8:15 am - 11:30 am
  • No late start Wednesday  district wide

If your student will ride the bus home during conference week, please expect the bus to arrive 3 hours and 15 minutes earlier than the usual stop time.

Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop.

Please be at the stop 10 minutes early for pickup and drop off, as times may vary slightly.

Please click HERE for the conversion chart to view pickup and drop off times on Early Dismissal Days. 

Families will need to transport their student to and from school, or to an established bus stop that services their school, if they: 

1. Live outside of PSD boundaries, but have a student enrolled in a PSD school on an approved Out of District Transfer
    
2. Have a student attending a PSD school outside of their home school catchment area on an approved Within District Transfer