Parking/Traffic Safety

When visiting Peterson, dropping off or picking up during the school day (approx. 8:00am - 3:30pm), please park in front of school or in the staff parking lot off of Rosalia Ave.  Please do not park in the main gym parking lot.   All visitors must sign in at the main office before entering campus.  Thank you!

There are two (2) main areas for dropping off in the morning and picking up in the afternoon:  

• The first option is along the East West portion of Rosalia Avenue in front of the Main Office / Cafeteria.
• The second option is entering the large parking lot off of Bryant Way and proceeding to the drop off zone in front of the main gym.
• Please note that traffic is one-way only along Rosalia Avenue, and through the parking lot off Bryant Way.
• Please pull as far forward as possible in either drop off or pick up location before your student exits or enters the vehicle from the passenger side only.  This will assist in efficient and safe arrivals and departures for the entire community.
• Be careful of students walking or riding a bicycle through the parking lots.

Students may be dropped off no earlier than 8:00am and must be picked up 20 minutes after the conclusion of the day as there is no supervision before or after those times.

Please familiarize yourself with the map below to help with smooth student drop off and  pick up.

MORNING DROP OFF – Buses are to stay in line with the parents and wait their turn to get into the parking lot.  The safety of students, staff and parents comes before bus schedules.  This arrangement has been mediated by the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.  Please pull as far forward as you can before letting your child out of the car.

AFTERNOON PICK UP – Parents often arrive early and beginning lining up to get their students which causes a backup on Rosalia.  Buses and vehicles that want to pass through are allowed to go around the stopped cars and enter the parking lot. There are not staff and students at this time, and parents should be in their vehicles, so the safety issue is not there.  Once the bell rings, buses and vehicles need to wait in line like everyone else until they reach the parking lot.  The safety of the students, staff and parents comes back into play when the dismissal bell rings. Please pull as far forward as you can.

DO NOT PASS A CAR OR BUS WHEN STUDENTS ARE PRESENT.  Wait your turn in line.

If you have questions or concerns about drop off or pick up, please contact Vice Principal Angela Kretsch.

The Safe Routes to School and the Traffic Safe Communities Network (TSCN) will provide free helmets to students who bike, scooter, skateboard, or use any other wheeled vehicle to school.  By law, any child under 18 must wear a helmet when biking, scootering, skateboarding or using any wheeled vehicle.  Wearing a helmet will avoid a $100 plus fine and keep you safe while riding!  

Please complete the attached flyer & turn in to the main office if you need a helmet.  

The start of another school year is upon us and we at Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety are looking forward to another safe year. This letter is intended to remind students and parents that safety around schools is of the utmost importance to everyone. Ensuring that students can walk, bike, and be dropped off at school in a safe and smooth manner should be everyone’s goal. If everyone follows the rules of the road then pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers will know what to expect from others around them.

Here is a list of commonly violated traffic laws near Peterson Middle School:

21212(a) CVC Helmet requirements. A person under 18 years old shall not operate a bicycle, skateboard, Razor scooter, in line roller skates, etc. unless that person is wearing a properly fitting and secured bicycle helmet.

21202(a) CVC Bicycle operation. A bicycle must be ridden in the same direction as traffic and as close to the right hand edge of the roadway as possible.

21460(a)CVC Double yellow lines.Drivers crossing over a double yellow line to pass a vehicle.

22103 CVC U turn in residential district. No person in a residential district shall make a U turn when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet, except at an intersection controlled by an official traffic control device.

21950(a) CVCCrosswalks:Not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks along the El Camino Real

21456 CVCPedestrian signals:Pedestrians not obeying the Walk/Don’t Walk lights

27315 Mandatory Seatbelt: (d)(1):A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway unless that person and all passengers 16 years of age or over are properly restrained by a safety belt. (note: seat belt positioned under the armpit or behind the back is NOT properly worn and in violation of this law.)

(e): A person 16 years of age or over may not be a passenger in a motor vehicle unless that person is properly restrained by a safety belt.

27360(a) Child passenger Seatbelt: A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway unless passengers under the age of 16 are properly secured by use of a safety belt and/or safety restraint system (carseat). A carseat must be used if the child is either 6 years or younger or 60 pounds or less.

Please familiarize yourself with these laws and talk with your children to ensure they are aware and remain safe while walking/biking near the schools.

Thank you,

Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety