When Picking Up Or Dropping Off Students, Follow the Rules

A release from Stoneham Safety Officer Joseph Ponzo:

I would like to remind everyone about some of the school rules during pickup and drop-off times.

At the Central Middle School there is no picking up or dropping off of students at the south side of the building, which is the side across from the old Mass Bank. There is a sign which is clearly marked and it makes it extremely difficult for the traffic director crossing the students from the Mass Bank parking lot to the middle school when parents are dropping off and picking children up in the part of the parking lot. Please follow the Middle School traffic plan: 1. Traffic may enter the parking lot and drop off area from either Pomeworth Street or Central Street. Both of these points of entrance are One Way only. 2. All traffic will exit the parking lot drop off area via the loop road which loops around the Cataldo Building. 3. When entering from Pomeworth St. proceed straight to drop your child off in front of the building and continue around the building exiting the loop road. 4. When entering from Central St. continue straight to the back of the building to drop your child off and then continue to exit via the loop road.

The Colonial Park School has clearly marked no parking signs on the south side of the building which abuts the playground. There is a section next to the playground where you can park; however, there are signs on that main drive isle that state no parking and they should be adhered to from the signs back. These spots are designated no parking for the purpose of emergency vehicles in case of an emergency. This is a $15 fine for parking there and will be enforced throughout the school year.

The Robin Hood School also has designated no parking points along the north side of Magnolia Terrace. When parents are traveling up Oak Street they are always detoured down Weld road to Bonad Road for the safety of the children. I want to remind everyone that there are a lot of kids in that neighborhood and there is a posted Stop Sign at Bonad Road and Weld Road. Drivers must adhere to this stop sign for there will be increased patrols by myself and the rest of the Stoneham Police Dept.

The South School has no parking for parents just residents along the Irving road side of the parking lot. The residents of Irving road have been extremely tolerable, but again this is a fine for parking in front of a “resident only” sign when picking up students. There is also a no left turn sign at the exit of the South School when turning onto Summer Street. This is a $50 fine for not adhering to this sign. The sign is clearly marked and citations will be mailed to parents who violate this law.

The High School has designated parking spots for students in their lot as well as designated handicapped spots within the lot. If you park in a handicap spot it is a $300 fine, for these spots are clearly marked for handicapped placards and/or handicapped plates.

Let’s keep this a wonderful and safe school year by adhering to these few simple rules. Thank you for being so understanding.

Remember Safety First!