Happy new (school) year everyone! As I patrolled the center of town after school today I was thrilled to see how energetic and excited our 7th and 8th graders are to begin their year together. Having the school in the midst of a downtown area affords them an opportunity to socialize and be a part of their community in a way that few other towns can offer. For the right student, it can foster independence, self confidence, and a stronger sense of community.
That said, please have conversations with your students about the basics of pedestrian safety. Remind them that they are taking on a great deal of personal responsibility by walking after school, and remind them to:
1) Cross in crosswalks.
2) Obey traffic signals.
3) Stop, look, and listen BOTH WAYS before crossing the street.
4) Be mindful of their footsteps and not their phones in busy parking areas and intersections.
5) Not congregate in the driveways of businesses.
6) Be respectful to local business staff and patrons.
If we're honest, some of us could stand to pay closer attention to what we're doing behind the wheel, and this time of year many drivers are caught off guard by the sudden masses of students on our sidewalks and in our roadways. I saw a few things this afternoon that made me a little nervous as a parent, police officer, and driver. It falls on all of us as a community to drive and walk safely and look out for each other.
If as drivers and pedestrians we can all be just a little more careful, we can reduce the risk of unfortunate accidents. I look forward to a safe and happy Fall with our kids!