Beauvoir - New Parent with Parking/Traffic Frustrations

[Anonymous]

past parent here—you do figure out your routine/spots after a while. in the am I would usually drive in and down the hill, if no spaces, turn right and go to the garage .in the afternoon i would park on south road and walk over. don’t bother turning in from woodley in the afternoon as it gets backed up pretty fast and then you’re stuck. the carpool line in the am was usually pretty good but in the afternoon, people arrive at 2:30 and sit in their cars so if you’re planning to roll up at 3 or later you’ll end up waiting. I miss walking in with my kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:past parent here—you do figure out your routine/spots after a while. in the am I would usually drive in and down the hill, if no spaces, turn right and go to the garage .in the afternoon i would park on south road and walk over. don’t bother turning in from woodley in the afternoon as it gets backed up pretty fast and then you’re stuck. the carpool line in the am was usually pretty good but in the afternoon, people arrive at 2:30 and sit in their cars so if you’re planning to roll up at 3 or later you’ll end up waiting. I miss walking in with my kid!

Can you park anywhere on South Road (even the non Beauvoir spots) during afternoon pickup?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About 3 weeks into Beauvoir and while my child loves it, I dread going to daily drop-off and pick-up because the traffic seems horrible and parking non-existent.

1. For parents walking their kids into class at 8am, where do they park??

2. Is the carpool line always THIS backed up?

3. Is there easy neighborhood parking available?

I wonder if the other two schools in the Big 3 are this difficult with respect to parking and traffic??

So now traffic is specific to the big 3?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Car pool lines, particularly the afternoon ones are THE WORST.

Almost made us go to public school when we heard it was 20 mins to do a drop and 40 mins for pick-up. Thank goodness our nanny is patient are our kids are all at the same school finally.

Are you for real? Glad your nanny is patient....

[Anonymous]

You could always *gasp* get there early so your child will be one of the first in the carpool line. That's what most parents do no matter which private or public school they attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you read the new parent orientation materials and/or the handbook? It's all there.

I'm shocked that you would not know about the Cathedral garage.

Also suggest talking to other parents or the staff. It's sad that feel you have to ask questions on DCUM.

Not OP but I am a new parent and we haven’t received a handbook yet because it’s being reviewed by the new HOS.

As a new parent I also have found drop off to be daunting and also I have been very surprised by the outrageous displays of wealth. Perhaps it is something I will get used to but I haven’t found it to be the most welcoming place from a parent standpoint. The teachers do a great job of helping but guidance as well as an extended hand from more seasoned parents would be helpful.

I’d b happy to help, but I have to know that you need help. No one can read your mind.

Beauvoir is a pretty friendly place. I can’t imagine anyone refusing to answer a question from a new parent or failing to extend a helping hand when asked.

I would say this is the definition of privilege. Someone new to this world just might not feel they can ask for help, especially when they don’t live in the same neighborhood or socialize in the same circles. How about this, when you are huddled in a circle talking with your friends around the coffee I would reccomend opening up your circle and welcoming a new parent in.

That's so effing ridiculous. You must be a millennial. It's someone else's job to make you feel welcome -- according to your standards -- so that you don't have to make an effort to get to know people?

Welcome to the real world, girlfriend. IRL, social interaction and friendship are two-way streets. If you're incapable of asking someone a question, you need some help with social skills.

Don't expect to break into a circle of friends catching up. Believe or not, the world did not start with you, and some people have known each other for years and are catching up on the fly.

Social hint: look for someone who is not standing in a circle, but who has open body language and a vaguely friendly facial expression. Or, before you ask your question, say something nice to them or ask them how long they've been at Beauvoir, or what grade their kid is in. Social chit chat, y'know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you read the new parent orientation materials and/or the handbook? It's all there.

I'm shocked that you would not know about the Cathedral garage.

Also suggest talking to other parents or the staff. It's sad that feel you have to ask questions on DCUM.

Not OP but I am a new parent and we haven’t received a handbook yet because it’s being reviewed by the new HOS.

As a new parent I also have found drop off to be daunting and also I have been very surprised by the outrageous displays of wealth. Perhaps it is something I will get used to but I haven’t found it to be the most welcoming place from a parent standpoint. The teachers do a great job of helping but guidance as well as an extended hand from more seasoned parents would be helpful.

I’d b happy to help, but I have to know that you need help. No one can read your mind.

Beauvoir is a pretty friendly place. I can’t imagine anyone refusing to answer a question from a new parent or failing to extend a helping hand when asked.

I would say this is the definition of privilege. Someone new to this world just might not feel they can ask for help, especially when they don’t live in the same neighborhood or socialize in the same circles. How about this, when you are huddled in a circle talking with your friends around the coffee I would reccomend opening up your circle and welcoming a new parent in.

I'm also new to one the schools on the Close this year, and also completely new to this world (neighborhood, social circles, etc). I've been made to feel very welcome so far and already feel comfortable asking questions like this even though I've only been part of the community for a few weeks. I'm sorry you haven't had the same experience yet, but I'd recommend putting yourself out there and trying. My guess is that you'll find the response very welcoming and supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you read the new parent orientation materials and/or the handbook? It's all there.

I'm shocked that you would not know about the Cathedral garage.

Also suggest talking to other parents or the staff. It's sad that feel you have to ask questions on DCUM.

Not OP but I am a new parent and we haven’t received a handbook yet because it’s being reviewed by the new HOS.

As a new parent I also have found drop off to be daunting and also I have been very surprised by the outrageous displays of wealth. Perhaps it is something I will get used to but I haven’t found it to be the most welcoming place from a parent standpoint. The teachers do a great job of helping but guidance as well as an extended hand from more seasoned parents would be helpful.

I’d b happy to help, but I have to know that you need help. No one can read your mind.

Beauvoir is a pretty friendly place. I can’t imagine anyone refusing to answer a question from a new parent or failing to extend a helping hand when asked.

I would say this is the definition of privilege. Someone new to this world just might not feel they can ask for help, especially when they don’t live in the same neighborhood or socialize in the same circles. How about this, when you are huddled in a circle talking with your friends around the coffee I would reccomend opening up your circle and welcoming a new parent in.

I'm also new to one the schools on the Close this year, and also completely new to this world (neighborhood, social circles, etc). I've been made to feel very welcome so far and already feel comfortable asking questions like this even though I've only been part of the community for a few weeks. I'm sorry you haven't had the same experience yet, but I'd recommend putting yourself out there and trying. My guess is that you'll find the response very welcoming and supportive.

Like 12:25 above? Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you read the new parent orientation materials and/or the handbook? It's all there.

I'm shocked that you would not know about the Cathedral garage.

Also suggest talking to other parents or the staff. It's sad that feel you have to ask questions on DCUM.

Not OP but I am a new parent and we haven’t received a handbook yet because it’s being reviewed by the new HOS.

As a new parent I also have found drop off to be daunting and also I have been very surprised by the outrageous displays of wealth. Perhaps it is something I will get used to but I haven’t found it to be the most welcoming place from a parent standpoint. The teachers do a great job of helping but guidance as well as an extended hand from more seasoned parents would be helpful.

what constitutes an “outrageous display of wealth”? kids parachuting out of a Gulfstream into the the carpool line?

This made my afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About 3 weeks into Beauvoir and while my child loves it, I dread going to daily drop-off and pick-up because the traffic seems horrible and parking non-existent.

1. For parents walking their kids into class at 8am, where do they park??

2. Is the carpool line always THIS backed up?

3. Is there easy neighborhood parking available?

I wonder if the other two schools in the Big 3 are this difficult with respect to parking and traffic??

Hello OP. Welcome to Beauvoir. Parking and carpool can be tricky at pretty much every school I know (including our neighborhood public, which people complain about). The rain doesn’t help because I don’t know why but the rain just slows everything down in DC and I think in part because kids who may have walked end up getting rides because obviously it’s raining. If you can try to get there a few minutes early you should be able to park I believe on the road going into beauvoir or the road heading back out. Even getting there at 7:45 or eight there are often spots open. If not there you can park on the street right near the entrance or many people park in the garage. Beauvoir is a really friendly place and there is a lot of wealth but there’s also a lot of diversity economically (as well as ethnically and religiously. We were lucky to have very friendly grades where everyone just talked to everyone. Hopefully that vibe is is in your grade and if it’s not maybe you can help set the tone because remember there are other people just like you that would love to meet a friendly face. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I would say this is the definition of privilege. Someone new to this world just might not feel they can ask for help, especially when they don’t live in the same neighborhood or socialize in the same circles. How about this, when you are huddled in a circle talking with your friends around the coffee I would reccomend opening up your circle and welcoming a new parent in.

I'm also new to one the schools on the Close this year, and also completely new to this world (neighborhood, social circles, etc). I've been made to feel very welcome so far and already feel comfortable asking questions like this even though I've only been part of the community for a few weeks. I'm sorry you haven't had the same experience yet, but I'd recommend putting yourself out there and trying. My guess is that you'll find the response very welcoming and supportive.

Like 12:25 above? Wow.

Oh, I'd say the poster asked to be verbally spanked. Who shows up in a new community and tells people how they (the new person) should be welcomed?

[Anonymous]

I would say perhaps it was a new person who the old people were not reaching out to in this friendly way that other Beauvoir PPs have mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you read the new parent orientation materials and/or the handbook? It's all there.

I'm shocked that you would not know about the Cathedral garage.

Also suggest talking to other parents or the staff. It's sad that feel you have to ask questions on DCUM.

Not OP but I am a new parent and we haven’t received a handbook yet because it’s being reviewed by the new HOS.

As a new parent I also have found drop off to be daunting and also I have been very surprised by the outrageous displays of wealth. Perhaps it is something I will get used to but I haven’t found it to be the most welcoming place from a parent standpoint. The teachers do a great job of helping but guidance as well as an extended hand from more seasoned parents would be helpful.

I’d b happy to help, but I have to know that you need help. No one can read your mind.

Beauvoir is a pretty friendly place. I can’t imagine anyone refusing to answer a question from a new parent or failing to extend a helping hand when asked.

I would say this is the definition of privilege. Someone new to this world just might not feel they can ask for help, especially when they don’t live in the same neighborhood or socialize in the same circles. How about this, when you are huddled in a circle talking with your friends around the coffee I would reccomend opening up your circle and welcoming a new parent in.

That's so effing ridiculous. You must be a millennial. It's someone else's job to make you feel welcome -- according to your standards -- so that you don't have to make an effort to get to know people?

Welcome to the real world, girlfriend. IRL, social interaction and friendship are two-way streets. If you're incapable of asking someone a question, you need some help with social skills.

Don't expect to break into a circle of friends catching up. Believe or not, the world did not start with you, and some people have known each other for years and are catching up on the fly.

Social hint: look for someone who is not standing in a circle, but who has open body language and a vaguely friendly facial expression. Or, before you ask your question, say something nice to them or ask them how long they've been at Beauvoir, or what grade their kid is in. Social chit chat, y'know?

Not the original poster, but wow you seem quite defensive. And it doesn’t sound like you are extending a warm welcome to new parents. Get a bit of self awareness and realize that for some parents this might be a daunting world to step into. But next time I see you I’ll ask if I can kiss your ring. Perhaps that’s what’s the kind of IRL sociability you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you read the new parent orientation materials and/or the handbook? It's all there.

I'm shocked that you would not know about the Cathedral garage.

Also suggest talking to other parents or the staff. It's sad that feel you have to ask questions on DCUM.

Not OP but I am a new parent and we haven’t received a handbook yet because it’s being reviewed by the new HOS.

As a new parent I also have found drop off to be daunting and also I have been very surprised by the outrageous displays of wealth. Perhaps it is something I will get used to but I haven’t found it to be the most welcoming place from a parent standpoint. The teachers do a great job of helping but guidance as well as an extended hand from more seasoned parents would be helpful.

I’d b happy to help, but I have to know that you need help. No one can read your mind.

Beauvoir is a pretty friendly place. I can’t imagine anyone refusing to answer a question from a new parent or failing to extend a helping hand when asked.

I would say this is the definition of privilege. Someone new to this world just might not feel they can ask for help, especially when they don’t live in the same neighborhood or socialize in the same circles. How about this, when you are huddled in a circle talking with your friends around the coffee I would reccomend opening up your circle and welcoming a new parent in.

I'm also new to one the schools on the Close this year, and also completely new to this world (neighborhood, social circles, etc). I've been made to feel very welcome so far and already feel comfortable asking questions like this even though I've only been part of the community for a few weeks. I'm sorry you haven't had the same experience yet, but I'd recommend putting yourself out there and trying. My guess is that you'll find the response very welcoming and supportive.

Like 12:25 above? Wow.

I have no idea who 12:25 is or if they're even being serious. All I can do is speak to my own experience, which has not been like OP's (or 12:25's).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you read the new parent orientation materials and/or the handbook? It's all there.

I'm shocked that you would not know about the Cathedral garage.

Also suggest talking to other parents or the staff. It's sad that feel you have to ask questions on DCUM.

Not OP but I am a new parent and we haven’t received a handbook yet because it’s being reviewed by the new HOS.

As a new parent I also have found drop off to be daunting and also I have been very surprised by the outrageous displays of wealth. Perhaps it is something I will get used to but I haven’t found it to be the most welcoming place from a parent standpoint. The teachers do a great job of helping but guidance as well as an extended hand from more seasoned parents would be helpful.

I’d b happy to help, but I have to know that you need help. No one can read your mind.

Beauvoir is a pretty friendly place. I can’t imagine anyone refusing to answer a question from a new parent or failing to extend a helping hand when asked.

I would say this is the definition of privilege. Someone new to this world just might not feel they can ask for help, especially when they don’t live in the same neighborhood or socialize in the same circles. How about this, when you are huddled in a circle talking with your friends around the coffee I would reccomend opening up your circle and welcoming a new parent in.

That's so effing ridiculous. You must be a millennial. It's someone else's job to make you feel welcome -- according to your standards -- so that you don't have to make an effort to get to know people?

Welcome to the real world, girlfriend. IRL, social interaction and friendship are two-way streets. If you're incapable of asking someone a question, you need some help with social skills.

Don't expect to break into a circle of friends catching up. Believe or not, the world did not start with you, and some people have known each other for years and are catching up on the fly.

Social hint: look for someone who is not standing in a circle, but who has open body language and a vaguely friendly facial expression. Or, before you ask your question, say something nice to them or ask them how long they've been at Beauvoir, or what grade their kid is in. Social chit chat, y'know?

You seem nice.