Safety
Traffic
As you know, we have a great deal of traffic during both morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. To assist us in making both times as effective, efficient and safe as possible, please follow the guidelines/rules provided below. Traffic at the start of the school year tends to be heavier and slower as all of our community members become familiar with the routines and procedures. We greatly appreciate your patience, cooperation, and attention to these guidelines during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
Morning Drop-off Guidelines
Front of School/South Parking Lot
- Bear Creek K-8 was not constructed with a “buses only” entrance. Therefore, the main entrance to the south parking lot is closed for morning drop-off between 8:30-8:50AM (or until all buses have left the school). This is for student safety while our buses are unloading students.
- Handicapped vehicles are permitted.
- Daycare parking spots are for Daycare vans only.
West Parking Lot
- This is our “hug and go” student drop-off area. Two lanes of traffic flow in to the parking lot entrance.
- Pull forward as far as possible.
- Stay with your vehicle at all times.
- West lane has access to the parking lot.
Afternoon Pick-up Guidelines
Front of School/South Parking Lot
- This parking lot is closed until 4:05PM (or until all buses have left the school).
- No student pick-up in the afternoon until after 4:05PM or all busses have left the school.
West Parking Lot
- This is our student pick-up lot. Please arrange to pick up your student in this lot.
- Pull forward as far as possible along the sidewalk.
- DO NOT, for any reason, leave your vehicle unattended.
- The second lane (west-side lane) must be left open for access to the parking lot.
General Guidelines for a SAFE Parking Lot
- The speed limit in the school zone along W. Dartmouth is 20 mph.
- Please hang up your cell phone while in the school zone and focus attention on students and families in the parking lot.
- Use the crosswalks in both parking lots and on W. Dartmouth Avenue.
- Have your student ready to get out of the car at the drop-off time. Stay in your car at all times in the drop-off and pick-up zones.
- Use designated parking spots only in the parking lot if you need to leave your car.
- Pull forward as far as possible in the drop-off and pick-up zones.
- Do not let students out of your car or pick students up from Dartmouth Avenue.
- PLEASE FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS PROVIDED BY STAFF MEMBERS.
Safety in Jeffco
Jeffco Public Schools is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our students and staff. The Department of School Safety & Security takes pride in providing the safest environment for all students. All staff, students and school communities deserve an environment that is welcoming and without threats, bullying, intimidation and harassment.
To receive important emails, texts and phone calls, families must keep their phone number and email updated in Infinite Campus.
The district has over 150 safety and security staff in Campus Security, Dispatch, Emergency Management, Armed Patrol and Judicial Services/Behavioral Threat Management working 24 hours a day to protect schools.
All Jeffco high schools and many middle schools have a successful School Resource Officer (SRO) program thanks to strong partnerships with every first responder and Law Enforcement agency in Jefferson County.
Watch the "Jeffco School Safety: Five Departments Devoted to a Duty to Protect” video to learn more about Jeffco’s nationally recognized School Safety program.
Emergency Communication
The fastest way to get information in an emergency situation is to follow Jeffco on X and Facebook (@JeffcoSchoolsCO) and check Jeffco’s homepage on the website for alerts.
The SchoolMessenger system uses what families enter into the Infinite Campus Online Registration system for contact information. Families must ensure this information is always updated.
Your Role: What Families Should Do in an Emergency
- Stay away. Do not go to the school. This may interfere with procedures. Only public safety personnel will be allowed in or near a school during an emergency situation.
- Do not call. Do not call the school or security staff. We understand you may want to communicate with your student during an emergency, but calling may prevent them from hearing important instructions.
- Be informed. Monitor your phone, email, district social media channels, local law enforcement or fire social media channels and local news. Jeffco provides fast and accurate information to its community. In some situations, accurate information can take a long time to verify and share. Please be patient.
- Be ready. When you are asked to pick up your student, come quickly and bring your identification to the reunification location communicated to you. Jeffco will only release students to adults listed on that student’s Infinite Campus page. Make sure anyone who could pick up your student in an emergency is listed. This can include neighbors, friends or other family members.
Jeffco Emergency Plan
Jeffco’s emergency plan covers all five phases of emergency preparedness: Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.
Contact Us
Jeffco Dispatch Center
Phone: 303-982-2445
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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In case of emergencies, call 911, then call the Jeffco Emergency Dispatch Center.