Crossing Into Fall: A Glimpse Into School Mornings

Across Woodbridge this morning, students ranging from kindergartners to seniors trudged off to their first day of school with new backpacks, fresh sneakers and newly minted clothing.

Woodbridge and Gar-Field high schools, like all Prince William County schools, started off the morning at an unimaginable hour, arriving at school as early at 7 a.m. Neighborhood buses that transport these two high school's students depart some areas of Woodbridge at 6:20 a.m.

Prince William Parkway can be congested with traffic any morning, but now with 800 buses and countless student drivers heading to their respective schools, arteries such as Old Bridge Road and Prince William Parkway were majorly clogged this morning.

Nonetheless, buses lined up beneath the identical high schools in bus tunnels as cars began to pile into the parking lots.

Across town, the scene at Woodbridge Middle School was much the same, save for some students walking to school in the brightening daylight.

At Old Bridge and Westridge elementary schools, however, the scene was a mix of excitement, sadness and anticipation.

A mom unloaded her SUV of children to Westridge's curb, amid a chorus of whines and exclamations of "we're sad!"

All the while, crossing guard Marietta Pierce sat patiently in her car, waiting for the children and their parents to appear at the intersection of Knightsbridge Drive and Devonwood Way.

Pierce has been a crossing guard for the past six years, and has always served at Westridge Elementary. A resident of Dale City, Pierce trained at Westridge and decided to make it her home.

"This intersection is always busy, but on the first day of school is can be especially hectic," said Pierce. "At least it's a beautiful day, though. Last year, it poured."

Pierce, fitted head-to-toe in her official crossing guard uniform, takes her job very seriously. She has seen some of the area children since they were in kindergarten.

"It's sad when they move on to middle school," said Pierce of her grown-up charges. "I've known most of these kids all along. It reminds me of my own children."

Pierce reminisced about her own daughter, who turns 25 this year, and how much time has passed.

"I always enjoy meeting the kids and getting to know the families," said Pierce. "They've been around for a long time."

Closer to 9 a.m., when Westridge opens its doors, cars and buses start to steadily flow through the intersection; punctuated by flocks of walkers, their parents and siblings – and sometimes, a dog or two.

For some children, a new school year comes with a bit of trepidation -- especially if you're a new student.

Westridge resident Nereida Morasarape and her eight-year-old grandson step up to the curb and await instructions from Pierce.

Pierce, whose boisterous voice stops vehicles and directs traffic, turned soft as she instructed the boy where to stand.

"It's bittersweet," said Morasarape. "This is his first year at Westridge and he's in third grade."

Pierce blew the whistle for traffic to stop and Morasarape's grandson confidently crossed the street.

"I'm not worried," said Morasarape. "Other teachers and neighbors say that this is a good school." 

Soon after 9:10 a.m. the morning announcements blared through Westridge's loudspeaker system. Parents, young siblings and dogs crossed back to their neighborhoods and Pierce climbed into her car. The school year has started without a hitch.