Mary Lin Elementary
586 Candler Park Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Brian D. Mitchell, Ed.D.
Principal
MARY LIN PARENTS AND GUARDIANS!
404-802-8850
404-802-8899 FAX
bdmitchell@atlantapublicschools.us
http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/site/Default.aspx?Page
ID=6980
Beginning Monday, December 9, the morning carpool drop off on the golf course side of Candler Park
Drive will no longer be available. There will be a crossing guard at this crosswalk. Parents can park on
Candler Park Drive and walk their children to the crosswalk so that the crossing guard can cross them
safely across the street or use the regular carpool lane, which travels SOUTH on Candler Park Drive and
enters the school’s traffic circle by making a right turn. There is NO LEFT TURN from Candler Park Drive
into the traffic circle during morning drop off OR afternoon pick up. There is also NO LEFT TURN when
exiting the traffic circle back on to Candler Park Drive.
Why do we need to make this change?
 The ultimate goal is to have a safe and orderly procedure in place for students to arrive at school.
A best practice for schools is to create a single car pool lane that unloads directly onto a sidewalk
adjacent to the school.
 There will be occasions during construction that will result in Candler Park Drive becoming one
lane requiring flaggers. Eliminating the golf course drop off will reduce northbound traffic and
congestion during these times.
 When the construction and renovations are completed, there will be one car pool lane traveling
southbound up Candler Park Drive. The back parking lot will be reserved for vans and buses.
What other transportation options are available as an alternative to morning drop-off?
 Bus stops are located throughout our Mary Lin community, so riding the bus is ALWAYS an option.
View bus stop locations/times at http://www.atlantapublicschools.us/domain/6213. Please email
Annie D’Agostino at anniedag@comcast.net if you are interested in becoming a bus rider.
 To reduce the number of cars and level of traffic, coordinate with fellow parents to carpool with
other students.
How can you help?
 Carpool drop off begins as early as 7:30 am. Consider coming as early as 7:30 am to avoid traffic
delays.
 During morning drop off and afternoon pick up, please do NOT park in the designated carpool lane
along Candler Park Drive headed south from the intersection of North Avenue.
 Please ensure you communicate these changes to caregivers that are responsible for your child
getting to school.
We acknowledge that eliminating this morning drop off location results in some families readjusting their
morning routines, but we feel that our decision to discontinue beginning on December 9 will create a safer
and more efficient process for school arrival. Please note that instruction still begins at 8:00 am but
tardiness is not applicable until 8:30 am. Thank you very much for your cooperation and support as we
make these changes!
Questions regarding the discontinuing of the golf course drop off should be addressed to:
Chief Marquenta Sands
Director of Security for Atlanta Public Schools
404 802 2536
msands@atlantapublicschools.us
This link to the Safe Routes to School Guide is a resource that will provide additional information about car
pool best practices: http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/pdf/SRTS-Guide_Dropoff-Pickup.pdf
Sincerely,
Brian D. Mitchell, Ed.D.
Principal
Ashley Adamo
Assistant Principal