Sycamore Springs schools to undergo traffic pattern changes

DRIPPING SPRINGS – Parents will see a different traffic pattern when picking up and dropping off their students at Sycamore Springs Middle School and Sycamore Springs Elementary School.

In May 2023, voters approved a $223.7 million bond to keep up with the district’s continuous growth. As a component of the bond package, SSMS is receiving an expansion that will extend its capacity from 850 to 1,200 students.

In a letter to parents, Dripping Springs ISD announced that construction of the expansion, and the new traffic flow for pick-up and drop-off, will start on Monday, Jan. 8, following winter break.

MAP COURTESY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD
Map of the new traffic pattern at Sycamore Springs Elementary School.[/caption]

Sycamore Springs Elementary School

Beginning after the break, all traffic for SSE will enter and exit on the south side of the campus (the former exit) next to Highpointe, according to a letter to parents. The former exit-only outlet will be re-striped for two-way traffic. Parents will enter in the right-hand lane — indicated as the lime green route on the map — travel down to the end of the campus, loop around and drop-off/pick-up in the normal location next to the cafeteria.

After drop-off or pick-up, traffic will stay to the right (aqua route) and travel up to Sawyer Ranch to exit. The exit will be re-striped to include right- and left-hand turn lanes onto Sawyer Ranch. There will be a crossing guard at the walkway to Highpointe.

The small lot by the bike racks, which is now named the Yellow Lot, will be reserved for SSE staff and campus visitors. The front/Maroon lot will continue to be used for buses, ADA access and staff parking.

“Thank you for your patience and support while we adjust to the new traffic pattern,” the letter stated. “We know this is a significant change, but we are hopeful that eliminating the requirement to circle the entire campus may actually expedite the process for the campus.”

Sycamore Springs Middle School

Map of the new traffic pattern at Sycamore Springs Middle School. MAP COURTESY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD[/caption]

SSMS families living north of the campus (Belterra, Ledge Stone, etc.) will enter and exit through the current campus entrance at the north side of the campus by the football field, indicated as the purple route on the map. Instead of taking a right and driving alongside the school, parents will continue left and drive alongside the football field to the back of the campus and drop-off/pick-up students near the cafeteria, which is now named the Blue Lot. Parents will loop around the small parking lot next to the cafeteria and follow the same path (aqua route) and exit onto Sawyer Ranch. The parking lot will be re-striped for two-way traffic over winter break.

SSMS families living south of the campus (Highpointe or similar) will enter and exit through the former campus exit, indicated as the pink route on the map. Parents will drive to the back of SSE and circle around to drop-off/pick-up students in the Yellow Lot (near the SSE entrance).

The front/Maroon lot will continue to be used for buses, ADA access and staff parking.

Walkers and Bikers

There will be a crossing guard at the walkway to Highpointe to assist pedestrians. Bikers entering/exiting the campus from the south (Highpointe or similar) should travel on the path from Highpointe to be escorted by the crossing guard at the pathway. Bikers entering/exiting the campus from the north (Belterra or similar) should remain on the Sawyer Ranch sidewalk until they reach the north entrance, then walk their bike across the traffic entrance and proceed to the front porch to secure their bikes at the racks by the main entrance of the school.

Extracurriculars and Alternate Schedules

“We understand that many of our students follow alternate schedules due to their extracurricular activities (band, athletics, fine arts, etc.). Please use the route that best fits your student’s needs for those activities,” the letter stated. “As a reminder, the SSMS expansion will provide much-needed relief and benefits to our students and staff, including increasing our capacity to 1,200 students through the addition of approximately 45,000 square feet, expanding the cafeteria, providing new security measures, updating ADA accessibility and more.”

Hays County Sheriff's Office will be onsite to provide additional support during the new traffic flow adjustment.

Parents who have any questions about the new traffic flow pattern are directed to send an email to [email protected].