City Reminds Drivers to Watch for School Crossings as Schools Open
August 15, 2024
The Department of Public Works Parking Enforcement Department, which manages the crossing guard schedule, asks motorists to be mindful of increased pedestrian activity and to follow the directions from crossing guards with vests and signs as they assist students and their guardians who are walking and biking to school. Drivers are urged to be vigilant near school neighborhoods, to plan routes away from heavy school traffic if travel is time-sensitive, and to obey posted school speed limits and crossing guard signals.
Portsmouth Public School grades 1 through 9 start the new school year on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 and grades 10 through 12 start on Wednesday, August 28. Drivers are urged to be extra cautious on City streets and to watch for crossing guards at key locations around the City.
The City’s three elementary schools are in session from 8:00 am to 2:17 pm. The Middle School on Parrott Avenue starts at 8:35 and releases at 3:15 pm. Portsmouth High School off Lafayette Avenue is in session from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm. Crossing guards are posted between 7:30 and 8:35 am and between 2:10 and 3:40 pm, Monday through Friday.
New Hampshire law requires that vehicles stop at least 25 feet from a crossing guard displaying a stop sign. Failure to obey school crossing guard directions is a violation of New Hampshire law and carries a $100 fine for the first offense and a $250 fine for subsequent offenses in the same calendar year.
Crossing Guards, Weekday Schedule
- South Street at Summit Avenue (Portsmouth High School) – 8-8:35 am and 3:15-3:40 pm;
- Parrott Avenue at Richards Avenue (Middle School) – 8:05-8:35 am and 3:10-3:30 pm;
- Richards Avenue. at Middle Street (Middle School) – 7:50-8:25 and 3:15-3:35 pm;
- Parrot Avenue at Middle School Entrance (Middle School) – 8:00-8:35 am and 3:10-3:25 pm;
- Miller Avenue at Lincoln Avenue (Middle School/Little Harbour) – 7:30-8:31 am and 2:34- 3:35 pm;
- Dennett Street at Stark Street (New Franklin Elementary) – 7:40-8:05 am and 2:10-2:35 pm;
- South Street at Junkins Avenue (Little Harbour Elementary) – 7:40-8:05 am and 2:25-2:50 pm;
- South Street at Clough Drive (Little Harbour Elementary) – 7:40-8:05 am and 2:25-2:50 pm;
- South Street at Sagamore Avenue (Little Harbour Elementary) – 7:35-8:00 am and 2:25 to 3:00 pm; and
- Van Buren Avenue at Fillmore Road (Dondero Elementary) – 7:35-8:05 am and 2:10-2:35 pm.
