Carpool Complaints
I don’t mean to intrude on Merritt’s beat, but the Hyer carpool line, at least at the front entrance on Caruth, was a mess this morning. Partly this is due to it being Bike Rodeo Day, and dozens of kids and parents who don’t normally ride were riding their bikes to school this morning. What I observed is that the kids know bike rules better than the parents: I saw three different parents veer from the sidewalk into the street without looking, and two of them went through stop signs at full speed with their heads turned backward to watch their kids (who stopped at the stop signs).
And in a continuing problem made worse this morning because of the heavier traffic, the crossing guards must be trained to alternate letting cars and pedestrians pass. Currently, the crossing guards will hold up all traffic for as long as it takes to let pedestrians cross, even if the pedestrians are still half a block from the intersection. The back-up of cars on Caruth reached three blocks.
Alternate.
That is all.
is this really the only thing you have to talk about this morning? No one cares about this unless they were in carpool this morning too and guess what? If they were in carpool this morning they already know about this!!! No need to share with those of us who a. had a wonderful morning without stupid carpool and b. NO ONE CARES!!!!! So please quit wasting our time talking about carpool…get a hobby!
Charles, I would have to say that a. kate does not sound like she had a wonderful morning, and b. I care.
I like the new crossing guards, but you are absolutely right, especially about the one at Caruth and Tulane. I wondered if this was something they learned in training, or if it’s just to keep from having to walk back and forth so often. She usually stands in the middle of the intersection so NO traffic can move in any direction, even if it doesn’t affect the pedestrians. Would love to find out if this is now considered “standard procedure.”
Thanks, Jen. Sorry you’re so upset, kate. What would you like to talk about?
Maxima enim, patientia virtus !
Good morning to all! Being a school crossing guard is a thankless job. It is danged if you do and danged if you don’t. Just remember they are not there to get you or anyone else in and out as fast as they can but to help get our children, mine too, across the streets. Do like me and take a deep breath and be thankful there are people willing to do this for our commnity.
Additionally, we will take a look at this but I will tell you she is doing her best.
Maxima enim, patientia virtus ! Latin for Patience is the greatest virtue!
nothing against charles but this posting makes it abundantly clear that merritt’s ability to transform day-to-day grumbling into something universally appealing looks a lot easier than it is
Carpool lines… always have been there always will be there. This is nothing new for those who grew up in the PC. Just know whatever day the elementary schools have their bike rodeo; that day will be a long one for those travel via car.
Also, agree with the Cheif, the point is to get the kids to school safely, not to ensure that each inidividual carpool driver has the easiest path to getting their own kid(s) to and from school. We live in a community, deal with it!
In fairness to Charles, his headline did say exactly what this post was going to be about. Kate, you had ample warning not to waste your precious time.
Also, getting kids to school safely might also mean making sure people in vehicles aren’t stressed to their breaking points. It is a two-way street, no pun intended. Alternating sounds like a good idea.
Alternating is exactly what they do. However, keep in mind that by State Law it is the Crossing Guards who make the decision as to when to alternate and not a “stressed driver” or anyone else other than a police officer. Crossing guards have the same authority as an officer in directing traffic. If anyone is that stressed they don’t need to be driving in school zones. Bottom line is just be careful, leave in pleanty of time, wait until you are directed to move, if stopped, or stop if moving. So far since school started this year and I am taking my 5 year old grandson every morning, I have been late to work everyday. Not because of the crossing guards, but because of the time that he has to be there. I am working around that and certainly not stressing over it.
Uh, Chief, I never said said I was “stressed out,” just frustrated. And of course I pay attention to the crossing guard’s instructions. I agree that their job is important.
What I said, and what I’ll repeat, is that at least one of them does not alternate between pedestrians and cars, not just this morning, but ever. If you’re telling us that that’s just the way it is, I’ll adjust and try to eliminate my frustration.
And, hey, you’re right that their most important job is to keep the kids safe.
A couple of years ago, I called the HP police department about the guards not alternating between the pedestrians and the traffic and I was told that they are trained to let all the pedestrians go and only to let the cars go when they don’t see any pedestrians coming. This drives me crazy! Not only are there 30 cars waiting but the kids are not being taught to stop, look for cars and wait their turn. I want the crossing guards there to supervise and teach the kids to cross safely for the day when they cross a street on their own.
The exact same thing happens at the cross walk at High School and Asbury at MIS/HPMS! I think it makes the intersection more dangerous because the drivers get antsy and frustrated, especially as the cars get gridlocked.
SUVmom,
Please respectfully note that crossing guards are there to keep the kids safe and hopefully to keep the traffic moving safely. Parents are there to “teach” the kids to cross safely. If your child needs to learn, please step up before sending them off to cross. It’s kind of like school. Teachers are there to teach, not “parent”. Both teachers and crossing guards have their hands full.
Carpool Friendly!
Carpool friendly,
I do/have taught my kids, but it would be nice if the crossing guards could/would reinforce those instructions. I find that my kids pick up bad habits very easily yet the good ones seem to take longer. I think that alternating between pedestrians and cars would help keep the kids safe both in the moment and by teaching good habits. It just seems crazy to me for the crossing guards to let 30 cars pile up waiting, while there are kids coming toward the intersection spaced 10 feet apart and having all of those cars wait on each kid that is in view, but not even at the corner yet.
I also had a crossing guard whistle and reprimand my child for riding his bike in the street when he was riding right behind me and we were practicing how to safely ride in the street. Maybe I just suffer from a general irritation with the crossing guards??