Is there any place that strikes more fear in the hearts of parents everywhere then the school parking lot? In a recent Facebook poll, more than 100 local moms and dads responded with the overall consensus that they hate the pick-up and drop-off mess. In fact it was a 2 to 1 majority of those that hated the entire process. But every day, as parents you have to brave the impossible and push forward in an attempt to do what needs to be done, get your kids to school on time!
Yet the complaints are often the same. “They cut me off!” “They parked and walked in and left their car running in the lane!” “They didn’t follow the proper procedures!”
There are pockets of schools that seem to have the process down; usually the smaller the school, the easier the drop-off. Charlotte Wardwell, a Bermuda Dunes mom of two boys sends her kids to Sacred Heart School. With less than 700 students in both the preschool and the k-8 buildings, drop-off is manageable. At the preschool the teachers run a drop off lane, and the parents pull up and the child is escorted into the school. If parents wish to stay, they can join in the morning routine that takes place in the school courtyard.
But at larger schools, when enrollment far exceeds those numbers, utter chaos can quickly ensue. One person who doesn’t follow the procedures can set off a domino effect that can lead to major stress and anxiety. At most of the high schools and middle schools, the planning that goes into drop off and pick-up often begins weeks prior to the school year. Sean Webb, a 12 year administrator, who recently transferred to Palm Desert High School states that any plan “starts with a meeting with the city and the police force” to iron out the kinks. After a plan is ironed out, the next step is communication. This includes maps, multiple social media post(s), and a concise, well executed plan of entry and exit.
Even then the best laid plans can have a hiccup or two. So regardless, if your school has it all ironed out, or it’s utterly maddening, here are four tips to help you get in, get it done, and get out, safely and sanely.
Step #1 – Do research before the school year starts to find out if the process is changed. Remember administrators are looking at the entire school and all students and their safety. Your primary focus, and rightly so, is your kid and where you (and they) have to be. Check the packets, and the school website for updated information. If you don’t know, ask. Most schools are happy to show you or walk you through the process if it seems confusing.
Step #2 – Give yourself time – leaving just five minutes earlier than you planned will allow you to have calm nerves, and avoid the other parents that might be running late. This will also allow time to have a chat with your kid about what they are studying or their weekend plans.
Step #3 – Follow the rules. If a lane is designated as no parking, please don’t park there. Not for one second, not real quick, not ever. Take the few extra minutes (see step #2) and park and walk in if you have business in the school or with a teacher.
Step #4 – Listen and look out for the people who are working the parking lot or the drop off area. These could be teachers, noon-yards, administrators or even volunteers. They are trying to manage the situation and get your kid where they need to go. If you aren’t listening, turning left when it should be right, and not following the prescribed path prepare to be asked to not do that, and “reminded” of the proper way of doing things.
Let’s remember the ultimate goal, getting the kids to school safely and on time. If we can all focus on that, and pay attention to our surroundings, the jungle that is the parking lot can be easily tamed.
Photo by Bridget Miller
