Beauvoir - New Parent with Parking/Traffic Frustrations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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??

YOU think Beauvoir traffic is bad? How do you think people in the neighborhood feel?

Exactly. Why do you think Newark St has about six speed bumps. People who live on Woodley and 35th Sts would love to get humps on those streets!

Speed bumps deal with speed. When it is all backed up and congested, speed humps don't do squat. So which is it, congested or are people speeding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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??

YOU think Beauvoir traffic is bad? How do you think people in the neighborhood feel?

Exactly. Why do you think Newark St has about six speed bumps. People who live on Woodley and 35th Sts would love to get humps on those streets!

Speed bumps deal with speed. When it is all backed up and congested, speed humps don't do squat. So which is it, congested or are people speeding?

Well it can be both - sometimes of day (pick-up and drop-off) it can be congested and other times of day speeding can be a problem. And it is possible the congestion is on campus while on the street parents are still speeding to get to the school. And it is possible parents entering the school deal with congestion and back-ups while those leaving the school five minutes later are frustrated but dealing with no congestion and try to make up for the lost time by speeding.

And apparently you haven't figured this out but most drivers are idiots (especially those from MD and most of the private school parents in NW DC are from MD) - and will in fact gun it for half a block even if they are about to get stuck in a slow moving queue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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??

YOU think Beauvoir traffic is bad? How do you think people in the neighborhood feel?

Exactly. Why do you think Newark St has about six speed bumps. People who live on Woodley and 35th Sts would love to get humps on those streets!

Speed bumps deal with speed. When it is all backed up and congested, speed humps don't do squat. So which is it, congested or are people speeding?

Well it can be both - sometimes of day (pick-up and drop-off) it can be congested and other times of day speeding can be a problem. And it is possible the congestion is on campus while on the street parents are still speeding to get to the school. And it is possible parents entering the school deal with congestion and back-ups while those leaving the school five minutes later are frustrated but dealing with no congestion and try to make up for the lost time by speeding.

And apparently you haven't figured this out but most drivers are idiots (especially those from MD and most of the private school parents in NW DC are from MD) - and will in fact gun it for half a block even if they are about to get stuck in a slow moving queue.

FWIW, I'm from Maryland and I drive like an 80-year old when I'm going through the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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??

YOU think Beauvoir traffic is bad? How do you think people in the neighborhood feel?

Exactly. Why do you think Newark St has about six speed bumps. People who live on Woodley and 35th Sts would love to get humps on those streets!

Speed bumps deal with speed. When it is all backed up and congested, speed humps don't do squat. So which is it, congested or are people speeding?

Well it can be both - sometimes of day (pick-up and drop-off) it can be congested and other times of day speeding can be a problem. And it is possible the congestion is on campus while on the street parents are still speeding to get to the school. And it is possible parents entering the school deal with congestion and back-ups while those leaving the school five minutes later are frustrated but dealing with no congestion and try to make up for the lost time by speeding.

And apparently you haven't figured this out but most drivers are idiots (especially those from MD and most of the private school parents in NW DC are from MD) - and will in fact gun it for half a block even if they are about to get stuck in a slow moving queue.

FWIW, I'm from Maryland and I drive like an 80-year old when I'm going through the neighborhood.

Most 80 year olds I know should no longer be driving. But assuming you mean to say that you drive the speed limit and obey the traffic laws in DC your efforts are appreciated even if they are exceptional.

[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.

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.

In a community of nearly 800 parents, it's beyond arrogant to assume that people will know who is new and who isn't. Get a bit of self awareness and a bit of a clue to realize that you can't sit on your a$$, make no attempts to talk to people, but expect them to come up to you and say, "OMG! You must be new! Let me roll out the red carpet and tell you all about our parking garage!"

[Anonymous]

Not persuasive. The PP didn’t say she didn’t make an effort. She said it would be nice if the old hands would reach out to a new person. And yes, I think it is the community’s job to help new members feel welcome. Don’t you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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??

YOU think Beauvoir traffic is bad? How do you think people in the neighborhood feel?

Exactly. Why do you think Newark St has about six speed bumps. People who live on Woodley and 35th Sts would love to get humps on those streets!

Speed bumps deal with speed. When it is all backed up and congested, speed humps don't do squat. So which is it, congested or are people speeding?

If a road has speed bumps it will deter drivers from using that road, thereby lessening traffic regardless of speed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not persuasive. The PP didn’t say she didn’t make an effort. She said it would be nice if the old hands would reach out to a new person. And yes, I think it is the community’s job to help new members feel welcome. Don’t you?

The point is that Beauvoir’s community does reach out to new members, and 95% will feel very welcome. But if you’re going to not feel welcome because a bunch of parents are standing in a circle catching up, and don’t include you, you’ve got issues.

Think of it from the perspective of veteran parents. You don’t know everyone at the school. You go up to someone you don’t know, and ask if they’re new and the person gets offended because they’ve been there for 10 years through three kids. You’ve just not run into them before.

It happens. We don’t go around asking people if they’re new.

If a parent were to go up to a group, and say hey I’m new can I join you, most groups would be accommodating. People do have prior friendships and relationships though and a lot depends on the attitude and sensitivity a newcomer displays.

There’s a difference between wanting to be welcomed and assuming that the world revolves around you, and people should know to stop their conversations and include you, because of course everyone know you’re new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not persuasive. The PP didn’t say she didn’t make an effort. She said it would be nice if the old hands would reach out to a new person. And yes, I think it is the community’s job to help new members feel welcome. Don’t you?

Why don’t you let her speak for herself and give examples of all the times she’s approached people and been rejected? Highly doubt it happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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??

If you get there at even 7:30-8 there are often spots along south road and you don’t need to go in garage. Early bird gets the worm! After 8 is crunch time. Wished we should have learned that lesson earlier!

You can still get spaces after 8, sheesh. I walk in everyday. Please chill people! Its not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

In a community of nearly 800 parents, it's beyond arrogant to assume that people will know who is new and who isn't. Get a bit of self awareness and a bit of a clue to realize that you can't sit on your a$$, make no attempts to talk to people, but expect them to come up to you and say, "OMG! You must be new! Let me roll out the red carpet and tell you all about our parking garage!"

I am a new parent, have been warmly welcomed, say hi to anyone who will make eye contact (which is actually a lot if not everyone) and have figured all the little details out that I needed to figure out to smoothly drop off, walkin, and pick up. I will admit the parking surprised me at first, but like anything you have to figure out the system and adapt. I have totally found the parents friendly. Am I looking for a bestie? No. But a name and to wave and eventually once my kid has friendships established, playdates, sure.

[Anonymous]

Based on reading the OP's MANY POSTS (I'm assuming it's the same person starting four similar threads) about starting at Beauvoir, I wouldn't be worried about the parking or the handbook or other parents being friendly, I would be worried about meeting HER.

Though, an even more worrisome thought, there may be multiple crazy people enrolling at Beauvoir this year. I know DC is generally, a little high-strung, but this is a little beyond normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not persuasive. The PP didn’t say she didn’t make an effort. She said it would be nice if the old hands would reach out to a new person. And yes, I think it is the community’s job to help new members feel welcome. Don’t you?

Why don’t you let her speak for herself and give examples of all the times she’s approached people and been rejected? Highly doubt it happened.

NP here, I am a new parent, have approached people and have also had totally other existing parents approach me, invite me to things - 4 events as a mom, solo, since the summer. OP, if you are not meeting anyone, try to sign up for one of the more low-key volunteer positions. Ask your teacher who your child is playing with, look them up and suggest a playdate. A little initiative never hurts.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to Beauvoir. How many looooong years to go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on reading the OP's MANY POSTS (I'm assuming it's the same person starting four similar threads) about starting at Beauvoir, I wouldn't be worried about the parking or the handbook or other parents being friendly, I would be worried about meeting HER.

Though, an even more worrisome thought, there may be multiple crazy people enrolling at Beauvoir this year. I know DC is generally, a little high-strung, but this is a little beyond normal.

The answer is b and it’s actually perfectly normal.