Harwood is all about student safety,and making this building a safe space. But how is it  safe if the parking lot is a major  issue? Students sometimes view the parking lot as a danger area. We have to go through it everyday, but yet  it makes us  worry.

It’s been tough with the budget,but the parking lot needs to get fixed.

Teacher Larry Gravelle states

“I wished they paved the whole parking lot. They only did half ;and just didn’t care to do the rest. It’s still very difficult for the people who have to park in the back lots without worrying about pot holes,or not knowing where to park.”

There are still ways we can try and make it better,but Harwood isn’t putting in the effort nor taking the responsibility. Gravelle, suggested,

“ [we could maybe collaboratively] put cones out on snowy days as lines so students ,and teachers know where to park, or sticks. These are cheap ways that could work very effectively.”

Even during or after big snow storms our parking lot is barely cleared off. Trying to get in the right spot is close to impossible. Students’ parking jobs are also affecting the buses being able to get in and out. Our Harwood community doesn’t know where to start and where to end. We have cheap ways we can fix it. Why isn’t Harwood putting in the effort?

It’s not just seeing the lines that’s the problem. Students are getting mad at other staff and other students in the building for parking in “their” spots or taking up more space. Harwood senior Ada mentioned

“What if we tried assigned parking spots? It could be a fun way to bring the school together by painting them: and making them unique to each student. It  can also lessen the amount of irritation that occurs.”

Another way students and staff have expressed is separating student and staff parking areas. This would be effective, because staff wouldn’t have to worry about dings or dents in their cars from careless students, and students won’t have to worry about the staff taking up all the close parking spots. Staff also arrive at school way earlier and take the front lot parking spots away from students.

Gravelle continued, “ separating students and staff would be a great possibility. We wouldn’t be annoyed with each other:and teachers won’t have to worry about any damage to their car. It would also allow students to leave quicker without staff cars in the way.”

These are our main issues, but some issues are less stoppable. Students sometimes have no care in the world and just speed through the parking lot. This has led to a few crashes and many close calls. Students rarely look good enough nor do they actually pay attention. Students will run in front of cars moving forward,and behind  reversing cars . They get irritated at moving cars, but they also need to pay attention.

Harwood doesn’t just have a bunch of money laying around, but if it’s going to lead to this being a safer space how come we aren’t trying?

Senior Ada Mongeon expressed, “ I know it’s just a parking lot but we need more signs for direction, and speeding issues.”

Some new student drivers don’t know where to go, nor do they know how fast to go. Adding signs would make those students at more ease,and make leaving and entering the school a much easier task.

Harwood should be one of the safest places for students. If they want this to be that safe space then we need to make changes. Why isn’t Harwood making those changes? What is stopping them ?