Unfortunately, for us, its not our school and its host of issues they are talking about. Thumbs up to the folks in Bristol for recognizing there is a problem, and trying to make the situation better for everybody. Once again the board majority has squandered an opprotunity. Instead of reaching out to parents, there was the typical "stay on track " silence. Listen guys, all we are asking is that you listen attentively to our concerns and do something to improve the situation. Whether it is our concerns about the traffic, or renovations, we have heard nothing from you, or your communications director. Are you guys that far out of touch, or do you just not care?
from the bcct:
New school works on arrival, dismissal process
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
Revisions will include additional crossing guards and adjustments to a traffic light's timing at a key intersection.
Extra crossing guards will be on duty this morning as students arrive for class at the new Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary/Middle School, borough and district officials said Wednesday.
The additional guards are needed to help students safely get across the busy intersection at Beaver and Pond streets near the school, Bristol Mayor Joseph A. Saxton said Wednesday after a meeting between borough and district representatives.
The officials met in borough hall after spending the first few days of the new school year observing traffic patterns during arrival and dismissal times from the $35 million school that serves more than 900 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade.
"We knew it wasn't going to go off perfectly," police Chief Arnold Porter said. "But we've been working on it. Parents have to understand that their kids are safe."
Officials have asked parents who drive their children to school to park in the Grundy skating rink on the other side of Beaver Street and then make sure the kids get across the street with the help of a crossing guard to get to school.
However, many parents are parking on private properties owned by businesses on Pond Street across from the school, officials said.
The additional crossing guards will help move the foot traffic more quickly across Pond Street while borough and district officials look for ways to improve the drop off and pick up plan.
Officials also will try to have a traffic light at the intersection modified to allow more time for motorists to turn left onto Pond Street from Beaver Street during dismissal time, Saxton said.
Right now, the light is programmed to allow traffic to move in that direction for 10 to 12 seconds at a time. That's causing traffic leaving the skating rink to back up, the mayor said.
Authorities report there has been some tension between parents and crossing guards when arrival and dismissal procedures are not followed. However, there have been no arrests.
Snyder-Girotti Principal Rosemary Parmigiani acknowledges a lot of the problems could have been avoided if the old district elementary school behind the new building was already demolished.
But that likely will not happen until next summer, officials said.
"We've informed parents that we all have to be flexible, just like with any growing pains," the principal said.
Want to know more?
Call 215-781-1020 or go to www.bbsd.org and click onto the link "Attention Parents of Snyder-Girotti Students New." It provides information about arrival and dismissal procedures at the new school.
