Parents should follow the guidelines, but we also need to teach our children how to keep themselves safe. We need to teach them how to safely cross the street , and to never go between parked cars because it makes it difficult to see them, especially after dark. I sincerely hope the young boy is doing okay, and wasn't seriously hurt.

"She said administrators have also asked for parent volunteers, but at schools like Churchill Elementary they have received no response." - So despite all the heated discussion regarding the letter to the editor on the same topic - no one has responded to the call for volunteers. Come on all you vocal stay at home parents - put your time where your keyboard is!

Reader in Oswego...I am huge proponent of volunteering, and I do in both my kids' schools on a regular basis. I think the time frame is tricky...there are a lot of parents who would be willing to volunteer their time for this effort, but have little kids to care for after school hours. We need volunteers who have older kids who can be home by themselves for a short period of time.

Why don't you all simply walk if you can? Churchill isn't that big. Or perhaps park on a side street away from traffic and walk a couple blocks to pick up your kid? That's what I would do to avoid the mayhem of some of the most inconsiderate drivers I have ever seen here. Walking is good for you!

I haven't seen anything from Plank either. Went online to look for digital handbook, but couldn't find it. If they have a plan, I would love to see that. It is just chaos all the time there.

I have asked Churchill specifically about volunteering to help patrol several times and they said they didn't need me too. I also have never seen a request to volunteer. So I am also confused as to what "but at schools like Churchill Elementary they have received no response." is referring to?

Jessie-I find it very offensive. Things aren't working, we suggested seeing how Southbury changed what wasn't working (I have received phone calls, emails, and printed items from them), suggested asking for parents to help, and then instead of saying they are working on the problem, the say parents won't volunteer and that is the problem?? That train of thought doesn't work for my kids, it is your problem, fix it-don't blame others. I will give the OPD $80 for 1 hour each day next week to give tickets for those speeding, parking wrong, using cellphones, etc.

We all know (at least at Churchill) the problem is the parents who are either to lazy or in to much or a hurry to follow simple, common sense rules. It's not the school or the kids that are the problem. Every now and again I take my kids to school. The stupidity and lack of common sense that I see if often beyond belief. First off I don't understand why teachers and administrators have to open car doors like a bunch of chauffeurs so that the kids can get in and out of the car. Secondly, I routinely seem people parking/dropping kids off in the cross walks. When that happens where are the kids supposed to go? I routinely see parents driving through the lot talking on their cell phones too. Parents have caused this problem and I'm afraid until someone gets hit by a car their behavior won't change. I wish I had the time to volunteer. I think a video posting the bad driving behavior in the parking lot for all to see might not be a bad idea either.

Yes, I agree. It is the parents causing the problems not the administration. I don't think I stated that earlier. I usually don't have a problem with drop off except for the people who "think" I am cutting in line because I am following the route I was told to use. It is frustrating. I think it would only take a few days of directing traffic to educate everyone. (of course there will be the few non conformers..but much less confusion at the plank stop sign. Lana, my kids walk everyday unless it rains, snows, or the temp is below 20 degrees. That is just the guideline I have for them.

There are also many students who attend Churchill or Plank who do not live in Churchill Club, so they cannot walk to school. My daughter takes the bus because we don't live in Churchill Club, but I have experienced the traffic problems when taking her to a school activity, such as a dance. I usually park in the parking lot and walk her to the door, and do the same when I pick her up.

I forwarded this article to all Plank staff and Administration, as well as our H & S president so we can problem solve. I have walked into school as drivers blows straight through the diagonal yellow cross walk and think to myself that I am glad I was paying attention.

One thing that I had mentioned previously that should be noted, as well, is the issue with congestion based on the way the traffic pattern is for the recommended Churchill drop off and pick up driver line.

Churchill states to enter the parking lot at Jessmine (which is the Churchill end of the parking lot). Drive through the parking lot to the Plank side and then turn left to enter the flow of traffic.

In the mornings there is only slight confusion as school is already in session at Plank. On occasion you'll have a Plank car parked in this line blocking traffic, but really it is not such an issue until the afternoon pick up. That is just a disaster.

First, buses pick up Plank students for sporting events in the front of the school. If there are two buses one parks along the pick up line, in front of the school, and the other parks in the drive lane blocking one side of the flow of traffic. Then you have the cars trying left into the pick up line, and the driver's get stuck who want to just get out of there between the bus and cars waiting.

The bus parked along the school lane blocks the visibility of the cars trying to pick up from Churchill. Plus any cars that are there to pick up their kids from Plank also bottle up the Churchill pick up line. It's hard to decipher which car is for which school.

I suggested reviewing Southbury's change as a possible solution. I don't know if this is "the" answer, but it is something new to consider.

Sorry, it's early... I meant... "Then you have cars turning left into the pick up..."

I would check the time of the incident. My understanding is that it was closer to 5:30 not 7pm. But maybe that is when the police report was filed.

I want to know what the school's liability is if a student gets struck by a car coming to or from a school sponsored event?

@Russell -- it's not so much that it's the school's responsibility to open up car doors, but they have set the system up (at least at my 308 school, though it's not Churchill) that they wave you frantically through the line and expect your kid out of the car immediately and my neighbor was hassled for his child's carseat not being in the correct position (it was on the driver's side, for various reasons not to mention 2 other carseats being in his car for other kids) it taking too long for the kid to get out, etc. The staff waves the cars up though the line, opens the door and the kids are expected to get out.

The other thing is that if Churchill is like our school or any others, they want to have the kids in that line. They make it as difficult as possible for you to park and walk yout kid up to the door. I have kids in 5 pt harness seats NOT boosters (the safest way for children to ride, regardless of age and seats are now made with higher wt limits for that fact), we could never do the drop-off because I have to deal with their seats. But you better believe they have made it a royal pain for me get my kids to school.

This has been a sore subject with me for a few years now and frankly makes me wish my children were on a bus. ; )

Attention public!! A moving car CAN BE DANGEROUS. This applies to ANY AREA, including YOUR OWN DRIVEWAY. Statisically, 1 in 10 children are hit by a car; every week, more than 50 children are backed over by a car. Do you know where most of these accidents occur??? YOUR DRIVEWAY. YOUR OWN PERSONAL DRIVEWAY. At Churchill, an average of 700 children attend the school, while another 800 on average attend Plank. I'm not aware of 150 children on average being hit by a car at these schools. Simply put, a moving vehicle is DANGEROUS, no matter where you are. No need to beat a dead horse, or state the obvious. Churchill has done A FINE JOB at directing traffic, and by putting the expectations clearly on paper. Sadly, there will always be someone, very rare it may be, not following the rules, and potentially cause an injury. We can only hope that doesn't happen, and remain vigilent for the safety of our kids.

100% agree with Lisa! Thank you. Can the judge now strike the gavel?!

Sidenote, walking in inclement weather, DOES NOT, I REPEAT, DOES NOT, get you sick. You can't catch pneumonia going outside with wet hair.....that "theory" has been disproved scientifically.

I just wanted to state that Churchill sent home a very clear letter this week on the proper way to enter, exit, and drop off/pick up students by car, bus and walking. My son, bless his heart, thought it was something to do with his field trip (lol) and so I got my sheet. Just wanted to make mention as kids do "forget" to give us big people (aka parents) those wonderful tidbits of information.

Also, I don't think anyone is blaming just one group here - it is not just the school's fault, nor OPD, nor the parents, but a combination of circumstances. By evaluating other methods it is not saying that one is necessarily better or worse than another, but it is looking at a common goal of protecting students and providing a better way of serving the community that attends these schools when it comes to getting there and home again.

With two schools adjacent to each other they are sharing common territory. The numbers of students between the two are close to 1,600. That is 1,600 opportunities for incident or accident increased by the various before and after school events that will bring other people through these shared areas evaluating procedures to help all things work smoothly is a positive.

What started all of this conversation were the parents parking on Secretariat causing a traffic and heightened risk of injury by car v. pedestrian nightmare. That seems to be abated, but now how do we fix the other issues. That is the big question.

Lisa Thiltgen, I have better things to do with my life, including filing buckets instead of bucket dipping. And you are the one that started the "yelling" (all caps is standard for yelling on the internet - employees can lose jobs, and have, over such incidents) regarding the cold not making kids sick.

Coming from a long line of medical professionals and PhDs I tend to trust their judgement over yours, but just a quick and interesting article that supports both perspectives (yours and mine):

http://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/colds-and-the-weather.aspx

Is there an absolute answer to this quagmire of a question??? There are many medical studies that go both directions, but I tend, again, to believe those that have much more knowledge and access to higher level of medical expertise than your limited abilities provide. As well, I know they've never misdiagnosed a person. They have upheld their training as their oath states as well as their God driven values (and my Dad was an atheist).

I just wanted to say that the difference at Plank is very noticable this week. Just having someone 'in charge' makes many more drivers comply. Also, at Churchill, I have seen some nice changes as well. Thank you to the staff at both schools for their continued efforts in keeping our children safe.

Thanks, Alette, for sharing such wonderful news. And you are absolutely correct. It's so easy to complain it is in the acknowledging of efforts for improvement we should focus our attention. Thank you for filling buckets and being a greater reminder to all of us that have not taken the time to simply say "thank you to those that are working so hard for the betterment of all".

The silence on this topic is far to long. With the colder weather and snow the traffic at Churchill/Plank has increased exponentially. This is causing longer waits and lower patience. I have arrived early for drop off and pick up to sit for 45 minutes to get the kid in/out more quickly. I have gone closer to the first bell and release time to find that I am sitting for 10 even 15 minutes some days. I watch cars enter on the Plank side for Churchill pick up disregarding all the efforts by the Churchill administration as well as the parents that have followed the rules the school put in place. I have continued to see the young kids walk themselves across the parking lot while Mom or Dad sit in the driver seat. And then there is the traffic congestion created by all the cars parking all Secretariat. Just last week traffic became snarled because a bus was heading toward the school with cars behind, cars were heading away from the school (toward Bluegrass) and both came to a stalemate because they could not pass each other safely with all the cars parked in front of the school. Then add in the risk factor of students and parents exiting and entering their cars in the street.

I know the administration at Churchill are doing all they can but something needs to happen sooner. Many schools have signs stating you cannot park in front during drop off and pick up. That is step 1. As for the rest I just am baffled, but before something happens there needs to be a solution