Dear Parents,
I am using this column to elaborate on what might be termed parking lot etiquette.
We have a system for the parking lot which was designed by a Tempe Traffic policeman. It works well, as long as people follow it. You will find a parking map in this newsletter.
The essential feature for the safety plan is that the north half of the parking lot is NOT to be used for drop off nor pick up of students. This section has minimal traffic (faculty, staff and handicapped only) so that it is safer for the students walking to and from campus.
In practice this means that to drop off a child, you must pull into a parking space in the south half of the parking lot and let the child out. Then exit the property at a slow speed. The driving lanes are NOT for dropping off or picking up.
It is the same procedure for afternoon pickup. Drivers must park in the south half of the lot. Rumors to the contrary, there are sufficient spaces during the afternoon pickup time. I walk the parking lot every so often to verify this and find spots in the southeast quadrant. Another option is to arrive at about 3:15 by which time there is a significant reduction in the number of cars in the lot.
Please pass these guidelines on to anyone picking up or dropping off your children. Often when I speak to grandparents or older siblings, they are unaware of our procedures.
Lastly, I would hope that the following did not need to be said but unfortunately, I must remind people that the parking lot is not an open road. No one should be going over 10 mph.
By following these simple rules and remembering to be courteous to others, I know we can keep the parking lot safe. For it is all about the safety of children. On that I am confident we all agree.
Dr. Sheridan
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