On June 18, 2025, the new road connecting to woodgrove opened to the use of all, leading to Woodgrove drivers receiving a major new benefit. Student drivers new and old may want some reminders on how to safely navigate the road.
The benefit that students received from the new road is the lessening of the congestion in the Woodgrove parking lot. Deputy Christopher Horbatak, Woodgroves School Resource Officer explained, “Last year, the buses were going out the same direction as the cars, and that made the backup last until about 4:45 or 4:50, and now it only lasts until around 4:30 since both sides are more clear.”Another benefit of the new road is that it connects to Hillsboro road, leading into Purcellville Main Street, which can allow students living in Purcellville and Round Hill to have a faster drive.
Some additions may be coming to the new road or the infrastructure around it. Horbatak stated, “The road may connect to the Mayfair neighborhood at some point, and there’s also at some point in time going to be an interchange connecting Hillsboro Road and Route 7.”
Since students driving on the new road will be driving with school busses Ms. Audrey Sieren, Woodgrove PE and Drivers Education teacher gave her tips on how to drive with them on the road, “Students should extend their distance behind a school bus. It’s the same with driving behind a truck. If you can’t see their side view mirrors, they most likely can’t see you…If they’re stopping and the yellow and red lights are on and the stop sign is projected you need to stop because the bus is most likely letting students off.”
One of the most dangerous habits on the road is texting while driving. Deputy Horbatak gave a personal anecdote that backs up this claim, “A funny thing is back when I worked patrol and we would pull people over on the suspicion of DUI due to their driving behavior it would turn out that they were texting, they weren’t drunk at all, but the driving behavior between somebody who’s drinking and driving and texting it while driving is the exact same.”
The zipper method has been suggested by many at Woodgrove, it has been on the morning announcements regularly for years now, but what exactly is it? Sieren explained, “It’s not necessarily a zipper method. It’s right of way…you let one person in and then you continue on your way, but that’s not a requirement in the parking lot, so don’t assume that person is going to let you out because it’s not the law they don’t have to.”
The parking lot during the beginning and end of school can be chaotic at times. Sieren gave her tips on the matter, “It would be best to back up into a space so that you can see what you’re coming into when you’re leaving school” Horbatak and Ward Sigler, Woodgrove’s School Security Officer, agreed on the subject and Horbatak advised. “I would suggest to slow down, take your time because a lot of our accidents are caused by people are rushing to get out of here.”
Most students and staff will benefit greatly from the lack of congestion caused by the addition of the new road. Finally, one more safety reminder, don’t text while driving!