In an effort to get around the overcrowded drop off lines that exist both in front of the school and in the back parking lot, many parents are heading to the nearby Giant parking lot to drop off their students. This supposed shortcut, however, is not working out as many thought it would. The sheer quantity of cars in what was clearly not designed to be used as a drop off line is causing the safety of some WJ students to be put at risk.

“In both September and October we had students on bikes hit near the Giant parking lot,” Principal Jennifer Baker explained in an email that went out to the entire WJ community. “Fortunately, there were no serious injuries in either case. However, there were minor injuries and our students had their safety compromised.”

Senior Andrew Hamill remembers the craziness that occurred in the Giant parking lot before school from when he used to get dropped off there.

“Now I drive to school, but I remember there consistently being kids running in between cars in the mornings there,” he said. “I would honestly say that there was about one honking incident a day, and that was just from the time frame when I was in the car waiting in line.”

In her school-wide email, Baker urged parents to utilize the set locations for student drop off, the two parking lots on either side of the building.

“This is a reminder for our parents and guardians. When dropping off your children in the morning do not stop in the street or Giant lot. It is not a safe location to let students out of the car,” Baker explained. “If you need to plan for a few extra minutes in the morning, please do so. It is worth the extra time to help our students get into our building safely.”

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