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Presents a Discussion on


Pick-up & Drop-off of Wethersfield School Students

Table of Contents (T.o.C.)

1. Ken Sokolowski, 3.10.06
2. Melissa Hart, 3.19.06
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.1. Dr.Ken, 3/10/06

Ever since the WPS changed the traffic patterns at WHS and some of the elementary school, there has been resistance from some of the parents to comply with the new directives. There have been meetings among the BOE, the WPS, departments of the Town, the Town Manager, and the Weth' Police Division.

Each month, as Chief Cetran issued his report to the Manager, the tone has turned a little firmer. Even the Manager's report to Council has recently reflected the frustration of the Manager over parents who continue to disobey the traffic directions especially at the WHS.

Apparently some of the parents are not playing by the rules.

In today's report of the Chief to the Manager is the following (self-explanatory) paragraph:

"In January the SSB [Support Service Bureau] Commander continued to work closely with the Board of Education in addressing parking and traffic complaints in and around the high school and several elementary schools. Numerous parking issues have been addressed at Hanmer Elementary School. Work has been done with the B.O.E. to begin using the gated area in front of the school. The gated area will be used as the new pickup and drop off area for the buses and vans. At the Wethersfield High School, parents are still dropping off in the area of the buses and vans, in violation of posted signs. The department will begin address these parents in the morning hours."

Time for some parents to set a better example.

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.2. Melissa Hart, 3/19/2006

I am writing this letter in response to a notice sent home from school on Friday, March 17th [2006] (Announcement to Parents of Children in the Wethersfield Schools from Wethersfield Police Department and Wethersfield Public Schools).

This notice stated that, due to increased parent traffic dropping off and picking up children before and after school, the police department along with the schools, are trying to lessen traffic congestion. I do not have a problem with that; what I do have a problem with are the suggestions given to "reduce traffic in and around immediate school areas":

Drop off child a short distance away from main entrances (i.e. side streets) or make arrangements to meet child off school property for pickup (i.e. side streets).

As the parent of a first and second grader, I was shocked to read that, in this day and age, the Police Department and School District would even suggest this. I want to SEE my children walk into the school every morning and I want to WATCH my children walk out of school every afternoon. During the warmer months I walk my children to school, however, during the winter, or on rainy days, I drive them. Leaving them off on a side street is not an option for me.

My question is, would the Police Department or School District be held accountable, if God forbid, anything to happen to my children in those minutes that they were out of my sight? If parents were to drop children off on a side street, would there be an escort to walk them to school? After school, would there be an escort to walk them from school to their parents?

I am all for making drop-off and pick-up easier for everyone, but I feel that the main concern should be the safety of our children. During the morning, drop-off typically is hectic for about 15 minutes, and even less time after school. I know, as a parent, I am concerned with the safety of ALL of the children, not just my own, and would never jeopardize their health or well being.

Melissa Hart
State St.

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