Dear OTA Parents and Guardians, a few Safety Reminders from Officer Tim (San Diego Police Dept Traffic Dept):

• Parents have noticed more drivers making u-turns lately to enter the playground driveway, especially those arriving late. This is very dangerous both to pedestrians, bikers, and drivers– a biker and car almost collided this morning.

*** The key to a successful drop-off and pick-up is to have all drivers approach the school from the south and treat San Diego Avenue as a one-way street!
See below for a map.***

• Parents and children are still jaywalking across San Diego Ave in front of the school. Passing between cars to cross the street is bound to lead to an accident some day. Please use the crosswalk at the corner of San Diego Ave and Bandini.
• Parents parking on the south side of San Diego Avenue then walking over to pick-up or drop-off children. We have seen too many near-misses when OTA parents slow down to park across the street– the road is already narrow due to cars lined up to enter the driveway– the cars following come close to rear-ending our parents. Please do not park unless you have an appointment at school or arrive after the gates are closed (Gates Close at 8:10 AM and 3:20 PM): it is much safer to drive into the driveway and drop off or pickup your child/ren from your car!

Thanks for your help keeping OTA students and families safe. We are working with the city to change our new School Zone Signs from No Stopping to No–Parking zone out front during school hours.

Overall the pickup and drop-off are working very well and we appreciate everyone’s support. We spoke to the neighborhood groups just last week and they seem pleased (so long as we remember not to block the driveways in front of the condos!)

Drop-off and Pick-up Traffic Directions: Click image to enlarge and print.

Directions to Old Town Academy:

Heading South: Interstate 5 to Washington Street Exit. Go left onto Washington, continue under freeway to Stop Light. Take a Left onto San Diego Ave. Continue to Old Town Academy: 2120 San Diego Avenue, San Diego CA 92110.

Heading North: Interstate 5 to Washington Street Exit. Merge right to avoid re-entry to Interstate. You are now on India St–stay left until you reach Washington St intersection, continue directly across intersection (India turns into San Diego Ave). Stay right to avoid re-entry onto I5, continue to Old Town Academy: 2120 San Diego Avenue, San Diego CA 92110.

Highlights of the plan are here:

1. All drivers arrive from the south and take a right turn into the OTA driveway. Stop to drop off their children and continue to exit driveway, taking a right turn onto San Diego Ave to reach.
2. No U-turn at Bandini and San Diego Ave intersection!
3. No left-turn into OTA driveway.
4. No parking in Teachers Garage.
5. No parking zone is now in place in front of school during drop-off and pick-up (7:30-8:30 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM)
6. Please note: Bandini St is very very very steep (think San Francisco). It is not a good idea to turn onto it and try to u-turn!