By Kate McNeil

Vigilant dads at the Robert J. Christen School, PS 81, are getting some help controlling traffic from trained professionals.

Two auxiliary officers from the 50th Precinct have been assigned to direct traffic on Mondays and Wednesdays at the intersection of West 256th Street and Mosholu Avenue.

The intersection has become a headache for the school in the past few months - parents and commuters alike ignore traffic signs forbidding them to turn left or right onto West 256th Street off of Mosholu Avenue during school drop-off hours, from 7 to 9:30 a.m.

Before police officers arrived, PS 81 dads, Brian Hallinan and Ralph Waldow, were taking matters into their own hands, standing in the intersection to block westbound traffic.

The pair has helped ease congestion, but parent leaders and school administration are pushing for the city Department of Transportation to make the roads safer for PS 81 students.

"The sign needs to be changed, it needs to be larger, no one can see it," said Principal Melodie Mashel, of the no-turn marker on Mosholu Avenue.

Others have suggested making West 256th Street, between Mosholu and Riverdale avenues, a one-way. That's what the Transportation Department did this year on West 236th Street to address the traffic issue outside PS 24.

Ultimately, Ms. Mashel said, "It's incumbent on community now to adhere to traffic signs. I don't think it's too much to ask to maintain safety of children."

Parent association president Courtney White plans to meet with Tony Cassino, chairman of Community Board 8, the 50th Precinct and DOT officials this week to discuss the problem further.

"We're continuing to be diligent to look for some specific action that will minimize any sort of accident in the area," Ms. White said.