St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West morning student drop-off traffic is a tragedy in the making. My daughter was almost hit and killed by a car when I dropped her off at Middle School West on Friday, Oct 24th. She got out of the car on the left side while we were at a dead stop behind several parents. In a blink of an eye, I almost lost her as another vehicle speed by at 20-30 mph in the inside lane.
While my daughter exited on the wrong side of the car and location, I can tell you I witnessed several other kids crossing in this fashion. People are very frustrated with the traffic situation and are taking dangerous actions: passing in the inside lane and driving over the sidewalk to exit through the parking lot.
I was extremely puzzled when I spoke to Assistant Principal Lynn Jennissen on Friday regarding the incident. I requested an auto-dialer or email be sent to all parents notifying them of the situation. Lynn stated that “we do not send emails/auto-dialers out for every incident. Our research shows parents will question why am I getting this email and call the school.” Lynn also commented that he will write an article for the next newsletter. As a parent, I expect to be notified of all serious incidents. Auto-dialers/emails grabs my attention. Newsletter do not. Please, Please notify all parents via email/auto-dialer. Let’s not wait to send an email after the tragedy. We have an opportunity to prevent this.
We need to take action immediately. One, send out the communication to parents. Two, staff or parent volunteers need to be out monitoring at all times. (I am happy that Assistant Lynn will be out there every day, but he must have a backup when he is unavailable). Two, we must block the inside lane with barriers. Three, we need to put a sign up making left turns at 50Th Street North East illegal. Until these actions are implemented we need the sheriff directing traffic in the morning.
I am holding the STMA School District, Middle School West and Wright County Sherriff accountable to fix this situation immediately.
Susan Lamey
St. Michael-Albertville parent
ob_one1963 says
Susan, have you personally addressed the school board? They meet every other Monday in the very building you are talking about.
Next, if people are driving onto the sidewalk, this is a clear violation of the law. If you are unhappy with VP response, I would certainly bring that up also.
EricJ says
You insist that all these changes take place, and you are holding get the District responsible for the fact that YOU allowed your child to exit the car into the traffic lane.
jdonwen says
I picked up my children from MSW after school last week for the first time this year. As I followed along I picked up my kids in the right lane and my children got into my vehicle on the right side. As I was pulling forward cars were whipping in front of me from the left lane almost hitting my car twice. I find that we are having the same issues at pick up and drop off that we’ve always have. Their select parents that refuse to follow the protocol set by the school and continue to endanger the safety of the children.. I agree we need to address the school board immediately before something tragic happens.
yoopdawg says
I have witnessed the same problems at MSE, of parents whipping passed stopped cars, during school hours and after hours. What is really scary is children not paying attention and walking through the lanes of traffic to get into & out of cars. I noticed tonight that MSE put up new signs asking the parents to pull forward to drop off/pick up children and I know the staff is trying to be present outside at these crucial times. My children know I prefer them to ride the bus, because the times I have to pick them up/drop off at the school, I feel like I might “loose my religion” in the parking lot.
I must applaud Lee Brown and her staff at Big Woods for their active participation at drop off and pick up. I know those students are younger & precious, but I also know middle school age students are just as precious. I hope all parents just take a moment and SLOW DOWN!!! I agree something must be done, but it is up to all of us to make this happen. Parents need to slow down, obey traffic laws and set an example for their children of what is the right way. Also, pull up and drive to the end of the lane!!! I promise you, your child can walk the extra steps to the school’s front door and they will survive!!! Students need to follow school rules regarding drop off & pick up. That means wait at the curb for your ride and not cut throught the parking lot to hop in a car. School staff needs to be a bigger & bolder presence at the curb during this time. The sherriff and school resoursce officers should also be visible at this time. After a few tickets are issued for infractions, maybe that will help the situation as well.
I just pray that I don’t read an article on North Wright County Today that states that one of our precious children was hurt do to an adult’s impatience in the parking lot at a school!
jm2000 says
As I read this article, it was as though somebody FINALLY said something…but, this situation is happening at all the schools, not just West. I say this after having my children attend both East and the High School. East had successfully used barriers to prevent those “Sneakers” coming up the side lane, who feel they are more important than anyone else in picking up their children, and refuse to wait in line behind anyone. This helped, however, every day now I am facing this at the high school. Parents refuse to wait in the line up out front, and speed up to the left of the pick up/drop off lane, all the while zooming past all of us other drivers who are waiting patiently in line to drop their child off or pick them up. Teens are walking through the traffic like a maze in order to get to the car or the sidewalk. This is dangerous. While these children are older and perhaps should be more aware of the dangers in walking across the street or through a busy high school parking lot, it still is dangerous. People have been killed in parking lots. Why is it that parents, family or whomever is doing this feels they have superiority over everyone else and refuse to think of other parent’s children by zooming up in order to facilitate a speedy exit? Well., guess what? We ALL have places to go. I so wish something could be done. I believe a mailer is in the best interest, as I highly doubt most parents will read this article or see the need, especially the ones who think rules do not apply to them. I also feel more monitors should be outside on the sidewalks. Generally, there is at least one doing some sort of traffic directing, however, there are a couple that just sip their coffee and talk while the teens run across when they can or can’t. It will be a happy day when these situations are dealt with proactively instead of reactively when something terrible has happened.