How would you handle this? Private school in the neighborhood

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Tuffcookie
Since the help you're getting from the school and police appears to be inconsistent, may I suggest another avenue...Get a few of you together and go to the next city counsel meeting. Good luck!

TC

Yes, do this -- this is one of those situations in which, I know it's a pain, but you will win. You are in the right, and this can be corrected, but it will be a pain -- just don't get discouraged and don't give up.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by phillybeth
Can you and some of your neighbors volunteer as crossing guards at that intersection? That would help everybody. Reduced traffic for you, and safe kids for the school and parents.

I have to say that is an absurd suggestion! The neighbors are being imposed upon, inconvenienced, blocked from their driveways, treated badly by the principal and parents, and you want the NEIGHBORS TO VOLUNTEER TO BE CROSSING GUARDS! I would have a huge neighborhood bake sale; during and after school hours and then take all of the money raised and hire a lawyer and sue the school. Perhaps if the school had to raise money to defend itself, the principal would be more motivated to enforce the law with the parents; IE: Children whose parents do not comply will be suspended without a tuition refund.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
Also, you never mentioned this, but are there visible "NO PARKING, violators will be towed at their own expense" signs? If not, you need to press for them. If there are some, sounds like you need more.

I agree with this.

Go to your city council and request that they put up "no parking between the hours of blah blah and blah blah Mon - Fri" up and down your street. The town I grew up in had this in front of all the schools so that parents wouldn't block other residents.

Also - school crossing guards are not really all that expensive. (not to belittle my mother but...) my mom has been a school crossing guard since I was in, oh, 6th grade? So that's 15 years now? I think she makes around $8 an hour? She does a morning and afternoon shift...sometimes a noon shift when there are half days. The town she works in has had to cut back the amount of crossing guards due to budget...imagine, sacrificing the SAFETY of children for a few $$$.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I wish I had some solution to offer, but all I can offer is a


Why IS it that people who send their kids to private school (or some of them anyway)feel they are above everyone else because THEIR child goes to a ritzy prep school?


TOV

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by TheOtherVillainess


Why IS it that people who send their kids to private school (or some of them anyway)feel they are above everyone else because THEIR child goes to a ritzy prep school?


TOV

Oh how I love stereotyping people! How do you feel about people who belong to Country Clubs? Or shop at gourmet markets? They're so snooty, too; aren't they?

 

[buddy&wooz]

I don't think this has anything to do with private or public school. Our public elementary school is in the oldest part of town. All residential except for the school, small lots, narrow roads. Probably half the kids are within walking distance, and the district actually offers free bussing to practically every kid in town, so you'd think there wouldn't be an issue with parents dropping off and picking up kids.

But every year the school has to send out 4-5 reminders to parents about where to drop kids off, where to park to pick them up, to please not block driveways or the road, to stay out of the bus loop and teacher parking lot. They've even tried making the roads near the school one way during drop off and dismissal but unless the town has a cop to spare that day (small town) most people ignore that.

I use the bus and avoid the insanity at the school at drop off and pick up, but on the occasions I need to drive my kids, I come home with a headache. It's nuts.

Luckily they're building a new addition on the school and part of the plan is increased parking and a car pick-up loop, so hopefully the problem will get better. Of course, they also plan to go to subscription bussing so that will mean more people driving instead of using the bus so they don't have to pay (probably me included) so who knows what will happen (and don't even get me started on how bad it is with all the construction going on !)

 

[Pin Wizard]

Wow! I give you a lot of credit. I could never live near a school for that reason. My BP would be up ALL the time!

At DS's school, there is NO parking to drop off or pick up kids. There's a line. And to avoid the issue of blocking roads, etc., the cars are weaved thorughout the parking lot in lines. Just like being in line with the ropes at the bank. I HATE that line! LOL! Actually am sending DS on the bus to avoid it this year. LOLOL! But there's no parking and no back ups on the street. And there are staggered times for the different grades to get out. Everyone gets a color coded tag to hang from the rear view mirror so they know what grade your youngest is in and the earliest you should be there. You sit in line and wait in the lot and move along if you are early. If someone MUST go in the building, they have to park on the outside edges of the lot, no where else. It works!!!!

Hope something straightens out for you.

P.S. There's also another school just across the street from DS...down about half a block.

 

[Kimberle]

I agree with the others. You are not in the wrong. I've been told by many educators that it is the PRINCIPAL that set's the *tone* for the whole school. Having a child in school now, I fully agree. If this Principal is this "lax" on a very very important safty issue, how is s/he going to be on other issues? I would really hesitate sending my child to this school.

Now, back to your problem. The police have GOT to issue tickets for the illegally parked cars. They need to be consistant. I'd advise yourself, and all of your neighbors calling the school every single am and pm when this happens. Just think, maybe your town can lower your property taxes because of all the "fine" revenue. *LOL*

The Principal needs to come up with a parkling/drop-off plan. It is HER problem. I agree about hiring a crossing guard. Would the city be able to put in a stop light? It could flash when school is not is session. Crossing guards are not expensive. Most make minimum wage.

We are fortunate that our school has a ton of property. But other schools are in a very urban area. Some have strick drop off/pick up rules. The cars drive in a line, only stopping for a few seconds to let the child(ren) out and in. Adults from the school open and shut car doors and assist with any car seats. Parents are NOT allowed out of their car.

Best of luck, keep calling the police and/or school board.

 

[Kimberle]

P.S. If this is not resolved, some day a child is going to get seriously hit or killed because s/he darted out between parked cars.

It happened at the school I attended while I was growing up. It only takes a split second for a child to dart away.

 

[danacara]

Originally posted by mom2grace

With the blessing of the neighborhood organizers, I took video last Friday of the street and the cars. Of course, the parents were irate (I was sitting in my car, not being super obvious).

I have to say, this would've freaked me out had I seen it. It probably came off looking like you were videotaping the kids. Had I seen you in the car with the video camera, I might've called the police on YOU.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

All I can say is....



I'll bet with some perserverence you can get things resolved. It won't be pretty but there is a solution out there.

 

[mom2grace]

Originally posted by danacara
I have to say, this would've freaked me out had I seen it. It probably came off looking like you were videotaping the kids. Had I seen you in the car with the video camera, I might've called the police on YOU.

They hadn't picked up their children yet. They know the situation, they knew who I was!!

 

[mom2grace]

WOWOWOWOWOW!!

Thanks everyone.

I think the city-county council will be our next stop.

I am going to share these ideas with my neighbors and find out which one is a lawyer! (Likely one is!)

You all are the best!