September 19, 2006

Dear Brier Terrace Middle School Families: 

As you are probably aware, our community suffered the loss of one of our Brier police officers, Eddie Thomas, last week.  We are all mourning the loss of Officer Thomas both knowing him as a servant of the community and as a former Brier Terrace student. 

Memorial services are being held on September 20, and a funeral procession will be conducted through Brier en route to the Floral Hills Cemetery.  The procession is scheduled to go down Brier Road at about 2:00 pm and is expected to include more than 300 vehicles.  As you know, our school is scheduled to end at 2:20.  This may pose a challenge for our busses as well as parents who plan to pick up students.  There are a few things that will help this situation. 

The District Transportation Department is working with us to find a staging place for the loading of busses that is not on our campus and does not require busses to drive on Brier Road.  If this works, students may be slightly delayed in boarding the busses, and students may be somewhat late in their arrival at their bus stops.  If the alternate plan is not possible, our busses may be delayed in exiting the campus by as much as an hour.  We ask, then, that you be patient with our bus drivers and understand if the arrival at your bus stop is later than you normally expect.   

Additionally, if you normally pick up your student from school, you may wish to make alternative arrangements on Wednesday.  One alternative is to pick up your student at our back entrance (in Mountlake Terrace) on 34^th Ave W.  Another alternative is for students to walk (probably the best alternative, given how crowded the roads might be).  As always, if students are walking, we encourage them to walk with a friend for safety and to obey proper pedestrian caution.     

We have a group of students who will be recognizing Officer Thomas on the procession route.  We ask that our school community, if inconvenienced by difficulties in getting students home that day, remember that the delays are for a legitimate community reason.  Please show patience and respect during this difficult time for us all. 

Please check the website (http://school.edmonds.wednet.edu/btm/) for updates regarding the bus loading situation.  Please call the school at (425)431-7834 if you need more information.

Sincerely, 

Bill Fritz

Principal

Brier Terrace Middle School