The safety and education of young drivers is becoming a nationwide priority as the incidents of young drivers involved in traffic accidents and fatalities are occurring far too frequently. The St. Mary’s County Public Schools has joined with many community partners in an effort to specifically address this issue through enhanced education and awareness of our students. Staff research was conducted with the purpose of developing recommendations for implementing a Young Drivers Safety Initiative in all St. Mary’s County Public Schools.

As a result of the research and meetings, a five point plan has been developed for implementation beginning with the school year 2008-2009.

The Young Drivers Safety Initiative MANDATORY training at GMHS will be offered in room C19, across from Media Center, on:

                        Tuesday, August 12, 2008 – 5:30p.m. and 6:30p.m.

Please attend one of these sessions. You must attend the entire presentation for training to be acknowledged. Once doors are closed, late comers will not be allowed to enter.

GMHS parking applications and the safe driving contracts will be passed out after each training session. Additional training sessions throughout the year can be arranged with Mrs. Snyder, in the school bank, for new students and drivers.

All students applying for parking permits will be encouraged to register their vehicle(s) with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office “S.T.O.P.P.E.D. program.” Each student presenting documentation showing that their vehicle(s) has been registered with the “S.T.O.P.P.E.D. program,” will receive a $10.00 discount off the price of their parking permit.

Seniors and juniors may apply for the 2008-2009 school year parking permit on Monday - 8/18/08 and Tuesday – 8/19/08, from 8a.m. until Noon each day at the school bank. If all criteria are met, and space is available, the permit will be issued the same day.

Criteria for obtaining a parking permit are as follows:

Fees for the 2008-2009 school year are as follows:

v     $50.00 for full year. $25 replacement fee for lost/stolen permits.

v     $16 per sport season. $8 replacement fee for lost/stolen permits.

Temporary permits may be issued to eligible students in extreme circumstances when driving is a necessity. Cost will be determined by length of time needed. Temporary permits are generally issued in limited quantities and may be denied at any time.

$10.00 discount for participation in the “S.T.O.P.P.E.D. program.” Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Please make check or money order payable to GMHS.

Consequences for illegally parking:

Ø      1^st offense – warning placed on window.

Ø      2^nd offense – tire booted ($20 removal fee payable to GMHS) and/or sheriff’s citation.

Ø      3^rd offense – car towed, $100 or higher fee payable to towing company used.

If you have any questions regarding the new parking program, please contact Mrs. Snyder at 301-863-4001 ext. 146.

**Not all extracurricular activities necessitate receiving a parking permit; applications will be processed on a case by case basis.

Parking at the swimming pool is highly discouraged. This area belongs to St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks. They have been lenient in the past, but will now tow and they are not required to give warnings.