August 28th, 2026
Dear EDSS Lancer Parents, Students, Staff, and Visitors;
As we prepare to launch into the new 2026-2027 school year, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and the EDSS Community are committed to ensuring our site remains safe, efficient, and welcoming for everyone. After a lengthy review in response to a safety audit of our site we have revised our traffic flow plan with the aim to reduce congestion and risk of injury for our community as well as support and encourage healthy ways to get to and from school. We strongly believe that active transportation—like walking or cycling—is the healthiest and safest choice for our students. Choosing active travel methods helps enhance physical and mental health, encourages recommended daily exercise, and reduces the carbon footprint and traffic congestion around our facility while reducing risk of accidental injury.
While driving is necessary or more convenient for some of our students and their families, high traffic volumes during peak times create heavy congestion and stress and risk of accidents. To prevent delays and protect vulnerable road users, we ask the entire school community to carefully review and follow our safe arrival to school suggestions, regarding drop-off, pick-up, and parking procedures outlined below.
Bike Parking
Bikers can lock up their bikes at the racks on second street and at the portable by the bus lane. These locations are monitored by our security system.
Driver Drop-Off and Pick-Up Locations and Procedures
To keep traffic flowing safely and smoothly in the community, please align your daily routines with the designated “Approved” and “Restricted” student, and vistor drop off and pick up and parking zones as described below;
Where TO Drop Off & Pick Up Students (Approved Zones)
We strongly encourage drivers drop off and pick up in the community within a 5 minute walk is the best way to get your students to school safely. Locations in the community a block or so away from the school which are less busy but very close are ideal options for your students to get to school and even get a few steps in before their classes.
We will be sharing maps that provide a range of locations and options within a 5 minute walk of the schools entrances.
The Arthur Street “U” (at 4 University Ave W.): If it is deemed necessary to transport your student to and from the school, door-to-door, on any given day, we get it just recognize this site was never designed for managing this many vehicles … please utilize the “U” lane off of Arthur Street (University Ave). Note this is the only location on site that is permitted for door to door drop off and pick up. This is a unidirectional lane with signage to improve though flow. Do not park and leave your car in this lane but you may briefly stop in line as needed. Space to idle or wait at the Arthur Street “U” is highly limited. Coordinate closely with your student so your pickup matches their exit, or arrange to meet on permitted community side streets. Note that commercial taxis are assigned to the Arthur Street “U” area (the address is 4 University Ave West).
Where NOT to Stop/Drop off or Pick Up Students (Restricted Zones)
Brubacher Street Entrance: Do NOT drop off or pick up students in or directly in front of the main parking lot or entrance/stairs accessed off Brubacher Street from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. This serves as the busy entry point for school buses, staff, visitors, and pedestrians; stopping here creates high-risk traffic demands. Accessible parking spaces for those with medically necessary mobility needs are available next to the portables by the main building for visiting vehicles displaying valid permits. The accessible entrance to the school from these two spots is by the gym/U near the far portables.
Second Street (No Stopping/Parking): Do NOT stop, drop off, or pick up students on either side of 2nd Street adjacent to school property.
Congestion on 2nd Street disrupts our vital bus drop off and pick up zone. Many students (including several with special educational needs and physical mobility challenges) rely on this area to be safe and congestion free. This is the area where buses for our ACE program are directed daily. Woolwich Township By-Law signage prohibits stopping and parking along this roadway. Enforcement officers routinely monitor this zone Monday to Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
Visitors/staff who require accessible permit parking may park in the main lot as there are two accessible parking spots next to the school nest to the portable by the main entrance. Additionally there are two more accessible spots by the second street entrance. Please ensure that if parking in these spots you display your accessible parking permits in your front windshield.
Where to Park if you are a Student or Visitor
Student & Visitor Parking
Visiting staff and other none student visitors with school business may park in available spaces in this lot. Overflow parking is permitted at the Woolwich Memorial Complex.
Students must register their vehicle(s) using this EDSS Student Parking Passes link in order to park in the upper student/visitor parking lot, Emmanuel church lot and Woolwich Memorial Centre lots. Any and all visitors must report the office upon parking their vehicle.
- Student Visitor Upper Parking Lot (No drop off or pick up)
2. Emmanuel Church Parking Lot (First Street)
EDSS Parking Pass holders are restricted to the spaces nearest the school.
3. Woolwich Memorial Centre
EDSS Parking Pass holders are expected to park at the WMC in the lot by the football field nearest the school.
General Safety Expectations
Maintain Low Speeds: All drivers must exercise extreme caution and maintain a safe low speed (20 km/h) whenever operating a vehicle on school grounds.
Plan Ahead for Weather: Traffic demands peak significantly during severe weather events. On these days, please consider dropping your student off a short distance away from the property line so they can walk the final leg, avoiding on-site gridlock.
Thank you for your active participation, patience, and shared commitment to keeping the EDSS Lancer community healthy and safe!