The Observation Deck

As a parent volunteer crossing guard at Lakeland/Clifton in front of Lincoln, I have seen more than my share of close calls with kids and cars almost getting hit by people not following drop-off/pick-up protocol. This morning was one of the closest and for a moment my heart skipped thinking that today was the day I'd need to call 911. Signs are posted and there have been emails and flyers and even occasional honking/yelling by other parents but people continue to put their and other kids in danger. I don't know the solution but I suspect nothing short of a uniformed authority figure able to cite them will deter these folks from saving a few seconds. Or maybe a battered child's body. What can the schools do? What can the city (police) do? I hesitate to ask parents to start patrolling and getting into it with these people. I truly believe that it's a matter of when, not if, there is a serious incident. (Way too many folks ignore procedure at Harding too making things difficult and dangerous.)

This is a common complaint for parents! Principals do try to communicate the procedure to parents and give regular reminders about car-line procedures. As you mentioned, the procedure is usually well-known by everyone. In fact, this week when I was a guest at one of the elementary PTA meetings this subject came up (not the school you mentioned) with parents complaining about the same issues you pointed out.

At Garfield Middle School (both of my kids attend), the principal is out directing traffic every morning. The line can be long at times, especially with more people driving due the weather, but I haven’t seen any close calls as you described. I am sure it isn't always perfect at Garfield—just my experience. Also, parents can drop kids off at 8am even though school doesn't start until 8:30am. Students are held in the gym until 8:20 then released to get to their lockers and first period class. I think permitting kids to be dropped off early allows parents more time to drop kids and get to work. This can be a real stress reducer so that parents don't make bad choices in the morning. It is reassuring for parents to know that your child is safe inside school and not outside waiting for the doors to open. I am not sure what the process is at the schools you mentioned. In my experience having people of authority directing traffic and allowing plenty of time in the morning seems to work at Garfield.

I thought Lakewood was a proud "walking district" what a joke. Get your lazy kids out of the car and walk to school. It's good for them.

Bill

Gee, I hope that wasn't directed at my kids. We live on St. Charles (north of Detroit). The walk to Garfield is about a mile AND my kids mostly walk. However, not with below zero temperatures or when my daughter has to carry an instrument bigger than her. I think the point is that we should support parents--not judge. There are lots of reasons parents drive. One way to support kids and parents is to obey car line procedures.

Let's be truthful here and stop patting ourselves on the back, Lakewood is a "driving district". With the vast majority of lazy students and parents arriving at school in a car.

Just another Lakewood fallacy.

Bill

Bill-- On other threads I have made some tongue in cheek remarks about walking to school in the "old days". Fact is, customs have changed and I have no explanation except to merely observe the lines of cars in the morning.
As a local neighbor mayor always says "It is what it is".
Stan

Stan – I guess I'm showing my age.

For me walkability is and always has been a big plus in my YES Lakewood column.

I guess for the majority it is only a bullet point on marketing flyer.

Bill

Bill,

I think that most kids still walk to and from school in the 'Wood.

But there are practical situations where kids are being driven to and from school.

Open enrollment has parents driving kids all over town.

Health conditions and, dare I say - sidewalk and weather conditions - have parents driving kids all over town as well.

Activities before and after school also have parents driving kids all over town.

St. Ignatius, Magnificat, St. Joseph Academy, and other schools have parents driving kids all out of town.

This is really a civility thread. It is not a driving thread. Nor is it a walking thread.

Jeff is speaking about that unexplained "student drop-off/pick-up rage" that causes some parents to want to run over pregnant principals, students (whether walking to/from school or being dropped-off/picked-up), teachers, staff, and other parents.

What causes this "student drop-off/pick-up rage" phenomenon?

I believe it is due to a lack of civility.

Others may disagree.

Whatever the cause, you must admit - from watching it take place in front of Grant - it's outrageous!

Civility, my friend.

It all comes down to civility - or not.

Matt

Bill might be a great guy, but all I can think of is this (sorry for the poor quality)



Sure, some folks may be lazy. But it's not for me to judge. No doubt many parents see the conditions I do and don't want their kids trying to cross the street in such mayhem. Of course that makes things even worse and makes it something of a self fulfilling prophecy. But whether it's folks from the other side of town with gifted or open enrolled kids, or parents concerned about sidewalk conditions/walking in the street, or kids who have hats and gloves but not any rated for -20, or people with physical conditions or on their way to work and/or have abduction or related fears so they need to see their kids actually get there. At least in the situations I'm concerned with, we're talking about elementary school kids. Young enough to still dash across the street without sufficient caution. So back to my initial concern, parents not following the rules mean that cars suddenly appearing unexpectedly is a very real danger.

I'll be happy to let rest our differences over if it's the majority or not of students that ride in cars to school. Simple observation can not lie.

If our school leaders truly created and supports equal schools that met the needs of all students that would go a long way towards relieving folks impression that they need to open enroll and drive their kids to school. But since we have mentioned both our gold standard school (Lincoln) and our bottom of the barrel school (Grant) I guess this issue transcends that issue.

Back to Jeff's original concern, it is the lack of civility. Everyone seems to always be out for themselves, whatever I can do to game the system and not have the rules apply to me. Because of course I'm special. I don't know that we can solve that issue in the parking lot. More rules and regulation just seem to make this issue worse, forcing more people to go their own special exceptions. We need more peace, love and understanding.

Lets note that the two facilities mentioned are both slatted to be rebuilt soon, we can hope that those in-charge over the planning process apply the utmost diligence over the parking and drop-off issues. During the phases I and II I was lucky enough to serve on a couple public bodies that worked on the planning and development and I hope we achieved some success with those facilities. At the time I remember pushing the point several times that there's only one element that effects every family using these facilities every day and that is parking and drop-off. Hopefully there will be someone there this time around to push that point.

Bill

Do the schools have data to clarify whether most kids walk or drive?

I see the cars, too, but if a dozen cars line up at Horace Mann, they are backed up into the street. But a few hundred kids go to school there.

I dropped my son off at Emerson one morning this past fall. I think there were 2 or 3 lanes with cars zipping all around, cars at a stand still, can't turn a certain way at the exit during drop off, kids walking all around. It was my first time dropping off there and it was pretty confusing for a newbie. More patience is definitely needed.

You'd think it would be pretty straight forward, I guess I was used to Roosevelt. One lane in and one out.

Mike,

In a recent article, http://usa.streetsblog.org/2014/01/17/the-suburb-where-everybody-can-walk-to-school/, it is noted that the district doesn't track how students travel to and from school. However, my experience is that principals have a very good handle on how many kids walk, ride their bikes, or get driven to school. It would be a good place to start.

Kristine

Two big thumbs up to the Lakewood schools working with the Lakewood police to address some of the hazardous pick-up/drop-off shenanigans near Lincoln Elementary. I have already seen improvement - although there will always be bad actors. The increased patrols before and after school and the flyers seem to be helping. I understand this can be difficult for the schools and/or police to keep a lid on. Thanks for taking student safety seriously. (As an aside, I wonder if this issue could be a consideration in the design of the new building and parking/entrances as has been noted by others.)

We have the same problem at Horace Mann. There are 2 lines. One is the drop off line and one is for the cars to go through. Many cars stop and park in the driving line and get out of there car. I live on Shaw. 2 minutes from the school. It takes me at least 10 to 15 minutes to drop the kids off and go home because of the line. People drive in the 2nd line and drop there kids off in the middle which is a complete hazard. The principal has been out many times and it works and it's a smooth commute. But when she isn't out the same thing happens. Frustrates me to no end. That is why the schools have parking lots. If you want to sit in your car for 20 minutes go park in a parking spot, don't hold up the driving line.