Letter: A right to walk to school

Recently, I walked my 4-year-old grandson from our home to his Pre-K classes at the M.C. Riley school complex in Bluffton.

The crosswalk on Bridge Street, which is marked with bright yellow school-zone signs, has faded lines that have been in dire need of repainting for years.

The traffic on Burnt Church Road was standing still, backed up by a newly-prescribed, morning drop-off routine.

We were met in the grass by a senior administrator, who without a hello, asked, “Did you park nearby to walk your child?” She was pointing toward the bus parking lot beside the school. I replied, “No, ma’am, we are walking from our home.”

She continued, “It is against the law, to park over there and walk.” She then added, “You know, it’s not the ’50s anymore, and I don’t feel that it is safe to walk.”

I asked if there was another route that we should take instead, and her surprising answer was, “I recommend that you get in the car and go through the drop-off line like everyone else.”

I was astounded.

My grandson and I continued to the entrance of the Early Childhood Development Center, where he was greeted by name and ushered inside.

Now, as in the ’50s, my requests are simple: I want fresh paint in the crosswalk on Bridge Street, free access to walk my grandchild to school, and I expect polite, respectful discourse with any school administrator we may encounter along the way.

This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 1:35 PM with the headline "Letter: A right to walk to school."