Carpooling Tips

In order to get the most out of carpooling, here are some helpful tips:

1. Determine who will drive and establish a cost-sharing arrangement. Set up a schedule for when each parent will drive and determine an alternate driver for emergencies. 
   
   
2. Ensure everyone has exchanged home, work, and mobile phone numbers. Communication is key. If a student/parent is ill or will not be going to school one day, the driver or alternate driver should be notified as soon as possible to ensure that other members of the carpool can act accordingly. Don't forget to give notice of vacations, staying after school, or leaving early from school.
   
   
3. Establish ground rules.  Where should students be picked up/dropped off (at their individual homes or at a common meeting place)? What time should students be ready to leave? How should each child be seated in the vehicle?
   
   
4. Give your carpool some time to work. It usually takes a few weeks to arrange everyone's routines into a pattern.  Most carpoolers discover they really enjoy the company of their fellow classmates and discover benefits they had not anticipated.