McMeen Elementary

Dear McMeen Families,

I am writing to address an urgent and ongoing issue regarding the misuse of our staff parking lot and unsafe driving practices around our school. This week alone, there have been multiple concerning incidents that have put our staff and students at risk:

• Yesterday, a staff member was nearly hit by a parent who sped through the parking lot using the exit as an entrance during dismissal.
• Today, a collision occurred in the staff parking lot between two parents who should not have been in the lot in the first place.

In addition, we are seeing parents violate traffic laws in front of the school, including stopping in the middle of the street or parking the wrong way when dropping off tardy students. This is dangerous and creates unnecessary hazards for everyone.

Let me be clear: the staff parking lot is for staff use only during school hours except for kiss-and-go from 7:30-7:40am. Parents may only use the parking lot after 3:30 PM, and even then, must follow all traffic laws, including entering through the designated entrance and exiting through the designated exit. Walking through the parking lot is not permitted at any time, whether before school or during dismissal. For your safety, please use the sidewalk that loops around the bus lane or the sidewalk along Tennessee.

Additionally, when dropping off tardy students in the front of the school, you must:

1. Ensure your car is facing the correct direction on the street.
2. Pull over safely and park in an appropriate spot before letting your child out.
3. Never stop in the middle of the street to drop off your child.

These rules are not optional, and they apply to everyone. They are in place to protect the safety of our community. I ask for your cooperation in the following:

1. Do not use the staff parking lot for any purpose during school hours except for kiss-and-go from 7:30-7:40am.
2. Always follow traffic laws, including proper use of entrances and exits and correct alignment on the street in front of the school.
3. Drive carefully and respectfully to ensure the safety of staff, students, and fellow families.

Unsafe behavior, such as speeding, improper use of the parking lot, or violating traffic laws, will not be tolerated. Your actions impact the safety of everyone on campus, and we all share the responsibility to maintain a safe environment.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Together, we can ensure the safety of our McMeen community.