“I feel like it’s kind of a gray area as to letting them in or talking to them and figuring out which student it’s for. It’s also just uncomfortable.”
— Alex Reilly
SCH Head of School Matt Norcini talked about his experience with delivery services, specifically where delivery drivers enter buildings: “Bags from DoorDash arrive probably every day. I’ve probably had about three of them that I’ve redirected back out of the building.” Mr. Norcini added, “Yes, it’s a problem. Thankfully, so far, it’s been a manageable problem.”
To help avoid this recurring problem, the school has brainstormed ideas to help find ways the school can ensure the security of the students.
Mr. Norcini said, “One of the things we’ve looked at is creating a Devil Drop – we are toying with the name, but it is a place out there, I think 538 Willow Grove Ave is the exact address of that little cut out in the sidewalk, where I’d prefer students to grab the food from.”
Mr. Norcini feels like a safe drop-off spot that is clearly laid out will decrease the number of food delivery drivers coming into the school buildings. Eleventh grade dean and English teacher Mr. Bell stated his opinion about the food deliveries:“I think it’s unavoidable. It’s just so easy for students to order food. So the idea of banning it would be difficult. I know some schools have, but I don’t envision that happening on a campus that is this big.” He added, “I feel safe. I think our door security is good. We have more cameras than people realize, and most entryways have a camera near them.”
While Mr. Bell feels that the safety at SCH is strongly enforced and is highly protected by our security system and the security team, not all students feel this way. Senior Alex Reilly feels she is in an awkward situation when strangers walk up to the school building. Alex, who does not order food delivery, said has no opinion on students Doordashing, but still questions her safety when strangers are near the building. “I feel like it’s kind of a gray area as to letting them in or talking to them and figuring out which student it’s for. It’s also just uncomfortable.”
Alex continued, “I don’t think that schools should end DoorDash in total, but I do think that there needs to be something so they know where to go, or else they’re just driving through campus or coming up to the door.”
Riley Delaney • Feb 9, 2024 at 12:14 pm
I agree with his article. It can also be a stressful experience for the students ordering the food. When you order the dasher doesn’t know their way around the campus, so they just end up wondering around. This leads to it taking a very long time to get your food and find your dasher. I think this idea is really smart and I’m glad the topic of this situation was brought to attention!
Eva • Feb 9, 2024 at 12:10 pm
I also like the idea of the Devil Drop. It would make it easier for students to direct and pick up their orders. I don’t order food often but when/if I do, sometimes it’s difficult to list where they should drop off my food. I also think it’s not very good to have strangers come into our school, and whenever one asks me where to go it’s hard to explain to them because I don’t know where the person who ordered the food would be or the delivery person doesn’t understand my directions. So having a designated place to pick up and drop off food is a good idea so people feel safer.
sela • Feb 9, 2024 at 10:36 am
This is an interesting topic that I had not thought about but is sop true, because anyone would be able to come posed a delivery driver!
Helena • Feb 9, 2024 at 10:23 am
I really enjoyed reading this article. I think having a designated area for the deliveries to be dropped off would make students feel much more comfortable. I have seen a lot of the drivers wander campus with the food, walk through the exchange and cafeteria, as well as through the different lots. I have heard students mention how they felt uncomfortable when the drivers approached them. I don’t think it is possible to have it be banned all together but I think a designated drop off area would make students feel much more comfortable.
Ava Szalay • Feb 9, 2024 at 10:14 am
I really like the idea of the Devil Drop because I agree that strangers coming into the building does pose a threat to our safety as a school. I wonder if someone in CEL would like to develop this further as a capstone. I also wonder if some of the teachers on lunch duty could occasionally check outside during lunch to see how the doordash orders are doing. Overall a really interesting and thoughtful article!