Greenwich Goes Back to School: GHS Seniors Assigned Parking Spots, No Left Turn out of GHS Driveway #4, Speed Cameras Coming

With just a few days of summer remaining, drivers are reminded to allow extra time for their commutes and to slow down especially in school zones.

After a quiet summer in Greenwich, with many residents away, it’s important to anticipate a significant increase in traffic and sharing the road with school buses.

In Greenwich Public Schools, 6th and 9th grade students start school on Thursday, Aug 29.

The first day of school for all students across the entire district is Friday, Aug 30.

At most private schools in Greenwich, the first day of school is after Labor Day.

GHS Dismissal

Given the half-hour flex block is eliminated at the end of the day at Greenwich High School, and all 2700 students will be dismissed at the same time, 2:55pm, there me be some added traffic snarls. That said, about 25% of students stay after school for sports, make-up work or club meetings.

On WGCH 1490 am radio this week, Greenwich Police Chief Heavey talked about changes to traffic procedures to minimize congestion at dismissal, including a proposal to restrict left turns out of driveway #4 onto Hillside Road.

On Thursday morning the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously 3-0 to approve an ordinance amendment presented by Deputy Chief Kraig Gray, who said chief Heavey had worked with public school administration and TOG Engineering Dept on the proposal.

He noted driveway #4 was the main entry/exit for parents and students.

While a left turn will be prohibited out of driveway#4 at all times, vehicles will be permitted to continue to turn left onto Hillside Road from south lot by the theater wing, the exits from the front circle, and the exit at parking lot 5 on the northern most part of campus.

“I propose updating the no left turn ordinance to include the GHS parking lot exit onto Hillside Road,” he said.

“Recognizing that the school policy alone is unenforceable on the public highway, should a violation occur at this intersection, an ordinance is necessary to assure that law enforcement officers can take appropriate action,” Gray said. “This issue has been a long brewing concern in the neighborhood and for the GHS administration. They have over time implemented other policies and practices, none of which has wholly rectified the ongoing issue.”

He said vehicles would be directed toward Rte 1 for improved traffic flow and distribution.

Start Time

There is no change t0 the 8:30am start time, which went into effect in 2017 after months of discussion, public hearings, and surveys.

Current GHS students and their families may have no memory of the previous 7:30am start time, but back in June of 2016, the Board of Education, in a vote of 5-3, endorsed the delayed bell times.

Driveway #4 exits GHS to Hillside Rd. Aug 27, 2024

Driveway #4 at GHS.

Students organize to lobby for a delayed start time at GHS.

In 2016, students lobbied for a delayed start time at GHS. Photo: Leslie Yager

Traffic backed up in both directions at the intersection of Hillside and East Putnam Avenue. Aug 31, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

Traffic at intersection of Hillside Rd and Putnam Ave on first day of school. August 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

New secure entry at GHS. August 26, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

New Secure Entry Vestibule

Also, at GHS there is a new secure entry to the building. Visitors will no longer have to enter through the glass corridor.

On Monday workers were putting final touches on the plaza and numerous new trees and shrubs are planted closer to the street.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for next week.

The driveway and parking lot in front of the school, and the north parking lot areas, have been repaved and parking spots re-striped.

Also a section of Hillside Rd by the intersection of Rte 1 has been repaved and re-striped.

Repaved and re-striped driveway and parking at front of GHS. Aug 27, 2024

Speed Cameras

In his radio interview on Monday, Chief Heavey urged drivers to be cautious.

He said an RFP for speed cameras near schools had been issued. (Public Act 23-116 empowered the town to be able to use speed cameras.) The RFP was discussed in April at a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, who serve as the town’s traffic authority.

Next, Heavey said, a traffic study would soon be initiated, resulting in the selection of locations for those speed cameras.

The idea of speed cameras came up when the new Central Middle School proposal went before the Planning & Zoning commission. Resident complained about speeding on Orchard by CMS. It also came up during the series of DPW input sessions.

Once the speed cameras are installed, there will be a series of fines for violations.

Seniors with Parking Permits: Assigned Parking Spots

Heavey said that at seniors with parking permits will have assigned parking spots this year. (Teachers will not have assigned spots.)

According to Jonathan Supranowitz, communications director for the district, there are 261 parking spots for seniors.

The school website explains procedures for student parking.

Each senior with a valid driver’s license is guaranteed parking for one semester. A lottery will be conducted in the fall and spring for students who are interested in receiving a permit.

For juniors who already have their driver’s license, junior parking will become available beginning in mid-May when most seniors are on senior internship or project. This permit will be valid until the end of the school year.