SchoolPool
- What is a SchoolPool?
- Why register my school?
- How do SchoolPools work?
- How can my school join?
- What about privacy issues?
- How can I find out more information?
What is a SchoolPool?
A SchoolPool is a voluntary carpool formed by parents, or students old enough to drive, with other people who are interested in sharing rides to and from the same school — whether on a daily basis, occasionally or in case of an emergency. RideShare assists local elementary and secondary schools with the formation of SchoolPools.
Why register my school?
Joining SchoolPool provides benefits beyond offering transportation options for students and families. SchoolPools:
- help families balance school schedules and work schedules.
- provide an alternative way to get home from after-school activities.
- reduce dangerous traffic congestion around school pick-up and drop-off areas.
- help families identify other parents or guardians they can call on if car or other problems arise.
- teach children great lessons about cooperating and protecting our environment.
- improve air quality with fewer cars on the road adding to pollution.
- help families save money by reducing driving and vehicle-related costs.
How do SchoolPools work?
Participating schools provide RideShare with student rosters containing names, addresses and phone numbers. RideShare then creates a database with participant information and runs match lists of other parents who live in the same neighborhood or within a convenient distance and who have similar schedules. Families make mutually agreeable arrangments with other drivers on match lists only if they wish to do so. There are no obligations.
How can my school join?
The advantage to using RideShare is being able to work on a school-wide basis rather than on an individual level. The SchoolPool match list service is free of charge and involves only minor administrative work at the beginning of a school year. It is up to the parents or students — not the school — to make arrangements regarding cost sharing with other drivers.
To register your school, an administrative official must submit the following:
- School name and mailing address
- Contact person and title
- Phone/fax number and e-mail address
- Daily school schedule
- Dates of school year
- Number of students that will be signed up
RideShare requests a minimum of two weeks to create databases for SchoolPools. To speed the process, please submit the data in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or other comma-delimited format.
What about privacy issues?
The information given to RideShare is confidential and is used only for the creation of match lists. RideShare can devise an opt-in procedure to address privacy issues.
How can I find out more information?
RideShare can provide free booklets to your school with tips on carpooling, safe biking and walking and other transit alternatives.
For more information about the SchoolPool program, e-mail us or call 816/842-RIDE.