We had a great turnout for the Blue Zone Problem Solving Coffee, and I would like to thank all of the parents who came and participated in the lively discussion and contributed their ideas.
The overall feeling at the meeting was that many of the problems with the Blue Zone have a simple solution: It is every driver’s responsibility to follow the Blue Zone rules every day. If everyone followed the rules, we would have few, if any, problems, and our children would be safer.
The Williams Blue Zone is simply too small to accommodate all the cars that need to use it at once. In the morning, the staggered drop-off seems to go smoothly. It is in the afternoon, when all children are dismissed at the same time, that safety issues arise.
This will be an ongoing discussion, and I welcome suggestions from those of you who were unable to attend the meeting. I will be working closely with the PTO and with Christine Lacey, who is working with all of the elementary schools and the Newton Police Department, to ensure safety in the Blue Zones across the city.
It is my hope that as the weather gets better more of us will be able to walk or ride a bike to Williams. Until that time, I thank all of you for following the rules and being considerate and polite to members of the Williams Community who may ask that you observe them.
Best,
Dr. Midge Connolly
[email protected]
Overview of the Blue Zone Rules:
- Do not park on the crosswalk at either end of the Blue Zone area; it is illegal. No part of your car, even your back tires, can be on the crosswalk.
- There is no parking on Grove Street, even in the entrance to the Blue Zone area. The crosswalk is the border of the Blue Zone; do not park before it.
- The Blue Zone is “idle free;” please turn your engines off.
- Please remain in your car and wait for your child(ren) to come to you.
- If there is no legal space in the Blue Zone, you must continue past the school and go around the block; depending on the time it may make sense to pull around and park someplace for a couple of minutes.
- You may not make a left turn from Grove Street into the Blue Zone or a left turn onto Grove Street from the Blue Zone.
- The smaller Blue Zone on the school side of Grove Street is for buses only (in front of the steps to the auditorium door).
- Children (and parents) must use the crosswalk when crossing Grove Street.
Suggestions (from the meeting) for Parents:
- In the Blue Zone, pull all the way up and get as close as you can to the car in front of you.
- If your children cannot buckle themselves in, please help them to gain this skill, as parents must remain in their cars in the Blue Zone.
- Do not use your cell phone while in the Blue Zone; it can be distracting.
- Please ask your children to come right out after dismissal and not to linger in the hallway.
- If you have a child in an upper grade, consider using the Blue Zone on the other side of Grove Street and having your child use the crosswalk.
- Consider coming to pick up a few minutes later than usual, after the rush.
- Consider forming a carpool to reduce the number of cars using the Blue Zone.
- Even when entering the Blue Zone well after dismissal, please pull all the way up.
Suggestions (from the meeting) for Williams Staff:
- Be sure children from all classes are dismissed on time.
- Allow children to spread out along the sidewalk to be on the “lookout” for their ride.
- Reorganize the back parking lot to allow for a wider, safer field of vision for children and adults who must cross it. (Reminder: the back parking lot is for staff only.)
