November 30, 2022
It is MPA’s number one priority to provide the safest campus environment possible for you and your children. Lately, we have noticed an uptick in risky driving behavior in our parking lots and drive-thru lanes.
We ask that you share this critical information with all of the drivers in your home and others who may provide transportation for you. Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Drive-Thru Lanes
We realize it can be frustrating in the morning and afternoon as students unload/reload all of their things for the day and that many drivers are in a hurry to get to where they need to be. In the interest of safety, courtesy, and efficiency, we ask that drivers refrain from pulling in front of another car or “leap-frogging” to the front. To make the process as efficient as possible, please pull up all the way to the crosswalk to allow maximum space in the drive-thru lanes. Please help ensure no gaps are present in the drive-thru lanes, even if that means your child needs to wait or walk further to enter the vehicle.
Entering and Exiting the Car
Children should only be allowed to enter and exit the car from the right/curbside in the drive-thru lanes. If you need to leave the vehicle to help your children in or out, please do so with great caution. Additionally, if you park in a lot during drop off and/or pick up, please take extra precautions to ensure your child is safe and uses the appropriate crosswalks to enter the building. No Lower School student should cross the crosswalk into the parking lot without an adult caregiver by their side.
Parking Lot Courtesy
At the Spring Auction, several families generously bid on reserved parking spaces. Those spaces are noted with custom signage and are reserved 24/7 for those families. In addition, several spaces are reserved for admission office visitors and disability parking. Drive-thru lanes and other areas of campus are noted as no parking zones. Please do not park in any of these spaces or block the entrance or exit from these spaces at any time of the day.
Safety
Please do not leave your vehicle unlocked or young children in the vehicle when you depart it.
Please Slow Down
Keep your speed at or below 10 MPH. This is particularly important near crosswalks and drive-thru lanes.
No Left Turn between 3 and 3:30 PM
Making a left-hand turn when coming from the west on Larpenteur into the Lower School drive-thru lane is not allowed in the afternoons. There is often no room in the line for extra cars, and the confusion that ensues is not safe. Please approach and enter the line from the east instead. Should you need to approach from the west, continue past the drive-thru entrance and safely turn around on Beebe Road to enter the line.
Distracted Driving
We ask all parents and students to refrain from using cell phones (hands-free or otherwise) while driving on campus. This helps us all to be aware of the children moving around us and keep the traffic flow steady and uncongested.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email. Thank you for all you do to help us ensure our campus remains safe for everyone. You and your children are precious to all of us here at MPA.
