In a semi-urban setting like Cambridge, it is understandable that parking would be an issue. There is some level of convenience that must be sacrificed in order to have the prime location that the Upper School does. Could parking be closer and more accessible? Sure, we wouldn’t complain, but that argument is overdone. We’ve made it before and will probably make it again.
The real problem, however, lies in transportation between the school and the Grove Street parking lot. The infrequency of shuttles combined with surges of morning traffic means some students need to get to the parking lot by 7:30 to ensure they will make their 8:15 class. Forty-five minutes seems a little excessive for the average time needed to arrive before class. Given this reality, the shuttle system needs to be updated.
The current shuttle schedule offers four morning shuttles that will deliver you to school in time for the first block: 6:30, 6:55, 7:20, and 7:45. The most appealing option of these is the 7:45 departure from Grove, which typically arrives at school by 8:00. Yet, rumor has it that this shuttle packs three students per seat. Students also report crouching in bus aisles when seats run out.
Students shouldn’t have to risk their safety to make sure they arrive on time for school. Sure, could students arrive earlier to make the 7:20 shuttle? Yes, but at a cost to sleep and well-being. Why should students have to arrive at the parking lot a full 55 minutes before their first class to be on time? Students can either lose sleep or risk showing up late to class.
Additional shuttles between 7:30 and 8:00 would aid this dilemma. Adding a shuttle leaving Grove Street every 10 minutes beginning at 7:35 until 7:55 would reduce the volume of students on each shuttle and prevent missed-shuttle induced tardiness.
While many teachers are sympathetic to the balancing act of the average student, parking dilemmas included, there is no doubt that some are less than understanding. This isn’t to say that it should be acceptable for students to show up late to their classes regularly. It isn’t fair to waste teachers’ valuable time, but we’d encourage teachers to recognize that students’ lateness is not always entirely their fault.
Instead of getting upset at a student who “should have woken up earlier,” realize they are most likely just as frustrated as you. If you really want to walk 1.2 miles (the distance to Grove) in one of your student’s shoes, we encourage you to switch parking spots with them for the day.
