Natalie Lopez, Executive Editor @nlopezcourant
Emma Shullman, Executive Editor @eshullman1
Traffic: we all know how bad it is every morning and afternoon. We all dread waiting in the endless line of jeeps and range rovers that fill the streets surrounding the school. Administrators are tired of hearing our countless excuses on why we’re late each day,but let’s face it, we didn’t get out of bed late or spend too much time getting ready. Having one way to get in and out of the school is simply not efficient.
Every morning is a new waiting game, filled with annoyance and impatience as I wait to get into the school. But of course this doesn’t stop all our teachers from saying, “well why didn’t you wake up earlier?” My face goes red and ask myself the same question: Why didn’t I get up earlier? Well I got up at 6:30 and left my house at 7:10, 20 minutes before the second bell rings. But I could’ve left 5 minutes earlier. But then I probably would’ve still been stuck in traffic. So waking up earlier and even leaving earlier wouldn’t have helped. Leaving earlier simply doesn’t help me beat the unpredictable behavior of the traffic in the morning.
When we interviewed Mr. Egan, he told us a solution to the problem: opening up another entrance through the dirt lot in Waveny park. We think this is the best option, and simply the only option we have. When we talked to other administrators it seemed like they didn’t want to talk about it. A problem that has been and continues to be a main grievance from both parents and students almost on a day-to-day basis is nothing but a nuisance to administrators and school staff. In our case, trying to find more information on the topic had its challenges. But you must put yourself in the administrators shoes: imagine talking to two senior girls about parking and how bad traffic is after just receiving four phone calls from parents complaining about how they waited at the same traffic light for 15 minutes that morning.
If this were to be put in place, the traffic pattern would be completely different. The only question is, would this lead to any possible new problems with traffic backup in Waveny? We are aware that the superintendent is communicating with the town on the subject, but there have been no official changes made. Would residents be upset about the flow of school traffic disrupting their morning walk? Would everyday traffic be backed up all the way to the Merit on South Avenue?
To students, it would seem like a no-brainer to get this plan jump started before school starts next year, but sadly there are so many moving parts we aren’t sure if this will actually become a reality. We can only hope that the benefits outweigh the possible costs, and that for generations to come, students and parents will not have to suffer from waiting in traffic for 15-20 minutes every morning and afternoon.
We can’t help but note that this situation seems like a lose-lose despite it being a potentially viable solution. It’s almost as if the administration sees this and doesn’t want to address this issue head on due to all the possible complications that could arise, both with town officials and residents. But, we think there has to be change, and the only option at the moment is through Waveny Park.
