Students at least 16 years and 3 months old are eligible to obtain a driver’s license as long as they have gone through instructed training and completed at least 50 hours of driving. FHS offers multiple areas for parking across the campus, including a special lot exclusive to seniors and teachers.
To park at FHS, students must purchase a parking pass from the Dean’s office. This pass is normally $10 and takes the form of a sticker that students are instructed to place in the right corner of their windshield (from the driver’s seat perspective).
Senior Maggie Truax and Sophomore Kennedy Moulder both found purchasing their pass “easy,” as Moulder filled out the information online and Truax obtained it during school orientation.
Seniors at FHS must complete an extra step to park in the Senior Lot, which is obtaining a special Senior Lot Pass. Despite the additional step, Truax found receiving it “stress-free.” The parking lot is also directly in front of the CCA doors, which is a common exit, making parking in the lot desirable.
Though the senior lot is convenient, underclassmen must look for other options.
“[I prefer the] tennis parking lot because it’s more convenient and it’s closer to where I leave,” Moulder said.
Student driving also allows flexibility in arrival times, especially for those with a flex period. Moulder tends to arrive around 7:50 or 8:00 a.m., while Truax gets to school at 9:40 a.m. on red days and 8:10 a.m. on silver days.
With arrival comes dismissal, which can also be flexible. Students who participate in sports, clubs and various other after school activities can leave when they wish after school, while on Targeted Instruction (TI) days other students can depart early.
“I always leave for TI because I like to go home to have an early brain-break,” Truax said. “The traffic isn’t nearly as bad as normal 3 p.m. release.”
Moulder and Truax both enjoy the opportunity to park at the school, but Moulder does find that “the parking lot is a little crowded” especially during dismissal times. Nonetheless, they both recommend driving to school.
“Waiting for the bus, especially in the cold months, is not the best feeling,” Truax said.
Driving to FHS has both benefits and drawbacks, but it is a valid option for student transportation.
