The start of the second semester often feels like a new beginning–new classes, new sports and activities, and a new calendar year. However, if last Tuesday’s start to the second semester proved anything, it’s that the long-time problem of parking in the snow has seen no new relief this year.
The situation in the parking lot on both Tuesday and Wednesday last week proved difficult as snow covered the lines and a sheet of ice blanketed the lot. The resulting chaos made parking more difficult and the lot difficult to navigate.
One senior remarked that everyone “parked like idiots,” while another said they could see the lines of the rows of parked cars in a clear curve and described the situation as a mess. Junior Madi Boyd said she had trouble leaving the parking lot after the alley in the parking lot was filled by parked cars.
Despite the challenges of the snow, there are real ways to effectively handle the conditions starting with, according to Vice Principal Ian Wells, having “common sense.”
Mr. Wells laid out important recommendations for students, starting with if you’re the first to start a row to make sure that you park within the lines. While this could be challenging, especially for students coming to school early, this sets up the rest of the people who park in that row to also be close to the lines.
School security guard Devon Patrick told The Highlighter if students can’t see the lines, they should park against the curb in the spaces at the back of the parking lot. Additionally, students should make sure they don’t block any other students. Mr. Wells confirmed that multiple students were asked to move their cars during the day on Wednesday due to blocking people in.
One such student, senior Otis Ryan, said it was a result of someone who had “come in after him and blocked the other student.”
Otis said that he had followed the pattern, but someone else had broken it and blocked off another student from being able to move. He was adamant that people who came later needed to follow the pattern so people like him didn’t have to leave class to move their cars.
Beyond avoiding blocking others in, it’s especially important for students refrain from unsafe activities such as doing doughnuts in the lot. Mr. Wells stated there was an incident only two years ago where a student flipped their car and added that fender benders aren’t uncommon.
Patrick explained that damage you cause becomes your responsibility to pay “out of your own pocket,” including for potential damage to school property. Additionally, any incidents in the parking lot resulting in damages will likely involve the school’s SRO Officer Cain and could result in legal action.
Perhaps the most important reason of all to avoid dangerous activity in the parking lot is that it can have real long-lasting impacts. While no one was hurt in the incident two years ago Ms. Perry, who had the student in class, recounts that “he was shaken up, and it was very serious.”
Ms. Perry reiterated the same crucial advice, “always go slow and steady.”
Patrick recommended that in the snow people not only follow the posted speed limit of 10 mph but decrease their speed even further to avoid accidents.
In the end, it appears the “common sense” Mr. Wells suggested is truly the best option for all Rocky students the next time the snow falls.
