EAST PROVIDENCE — The district as well as the police department are notifying parents and families not to leave students on Pawtucket Avenue as they attempt to access or leave the new East Providence High School.

In a brief statement, the East Providence Police Department noted the following, “Do not drop students off on Pawtucket Avenue. This is a significant safety issue and additional officers will be present to monitor this.”

The entire student body of some 1,600 pupils entered the building, which is a still-active construction site, for the first time on Thursday, Sept. 9.

The on-going demolition of the old structure taking place during school hours has limited available parking, while a narrow, two-way drive leading to the entrance of the new school is taken up by the dozens of buses also dropping off or picking up  students.

The parking situation isn't likely to be solved any time soon. The former school is roughly half-way torn down. It appears on track to be done in the next few weeks, though remediation and grading of the area will probably last for a longer period of time.

EPHS principal Toby Gibbons noted only some 75 parking spaces were made available to students for the start of the 2021-22 term, and those were given out to seniors through a lottery system.

Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Crowley and Diana Clarkin, District Director of Operations, likewise produced a memorandum to parents and guardians on the topic Monday, Sept. 13.

Apologizing for the inconvenience, the administration provided the following guidelines for drop-off and pick-up procedures:

1. If your student is eligible for transportation, please have them ride the bus. If they do not we ask that you let us know, as there are students that want and need transportations. They could be given this unused spot, and it too will assist with the traffic.
2.  During pick up we ask that you only use the South Driveway. This is the driveway that is on the right hand side of the building when facile it. Pick up can not be until after 2:05 p.m. This will allow the busses and seniors to vacate the premises first and making the transition smoother for you to enter and exit.
3. If you would like to complete an appeal form regarding transportation, please do so. We will get to them as soon as possible.

Parents/guadians are asked to contact the transportation department with concerns or questions at 401-383-5797 or email Director Clarkin at delarkin@epschoolsri.com.