Dear Laurel Hill Families,
This is the time of year when we reflect on what we are thankful for and share those thoughts with others. I am actually writing this letter from a second grade classroom where students are writing about 'what they are thankful for'. I hope it is okay with our readers that I have decided to take a somewhat different angle on expressing my thanks. I am actually using this space to 'thank you in advance' for assisting me with ensuring the safety of our students at school. My intent is that this is read with an understanding that I am presenting serious items in a humorous format. I've chosen to follow David Letterman's lead and create a Top 10 list for you to follow. Imagine Dave's voice as you read the following. So here we go...
Tonight's Top 10 list...The top 10 things you should NOT do while driving a vehicle at Laurel Hill.
Number 10 -Please do not double-park and block other vehicles in the parking lot at any time.
#9 - Please do not park in the roadway during afternoon walker dismissal (please use a parking space - they're right there and empty for you).
#8 - Please do not circumvent the car rider line, drive the wrong way down a one-way road, and drop your children off in the bus area.
#7 - Please do not park in our front parking lot during morning arrival time. (This results in parents and students crossing traffic, and also holding up our car rider line.)
#6 - Please do not yell or complain to faculty members who are directing traffic, especially if they are stopping traffic momentarily to let our 22 buses exit to pick up the middle school students on time.
#5 - Please do not exit your vehicle if using the car rider line.
#4 - Please do not let your children out of your vehicle (in the car rider line) prior to 7:20 in the morning.
#3 - Please do not drive on the inside lane, passing all of the patiently waiting cars in the afternoon car line, and pull into the front of the line. (Kids call this cutting.)
#2 - Please do not park on Thomas Cario Blvd, leave your vehicle running (and unattended) and walk your child through two lanes of traffic and our front lawn to our front door.
And the #1 thing you should not do while in a vehicle at Laurel Hill - Please do not speed away (after doing any of the above-mentioned actions) if Mr. Antonelli or a member of the faculty approaches your vehicle.
Hopefully you are laughing and also understanding that these items all present a danger to our students. Thanks for your help in this area.
While I have your attention I do need to mention one more topic with which I need your assistance. I am asking you to please coordinate (ahead of time) with your childˇ¦s teacher any food items that you are bringing to the classroom for children other than your own. I understand that it seems like a harmless act to surprise the class with cupcakes or cookies, but unfortunately it puts our front office staff and teachers in a very difficult situation as these items do not fall within our established food policies, and they have been instructed to send the food away. Our healthy snack list is available on our website and these are the items that should be shared when food is sent in from parents. Class parties, especially near the holidays, may have some unhealthy treats. Once again, please coordinate any food with your child's teacher to ensure that we do not have any surprises or interruptions to the day's plans. Back to being thankful. As I speak with colleagues and visit other schools in our city and around the state, I am so thankful that these are our biggest problems. I am thankful that so many parents realize the importance of their child's education and want to be at our school, causing our traffic problems. I am thankful that we are in a setting where parents want to provide food for the entire class as a reward and kind gesture. Laurel Hill is such a unique setting and I am truly thankful and appreciative for all that our parents provide for our school. I must say though, I am especially thankful for the parents who follow our policies and help to ensure the best environment possible for our students!
I wish you and your family a wonderful month of December and a relaxing holiday vacation.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Antonelli