Our Student Safety Patrol Team continues to be very active in helping to ensure that our students remain safe during the morning and afternoon rush hour around Cleveland School. We have a team of approximately 60 students and many parent volunteers who arrive early (8:00 am) to keep us safe. Like the proverbial postman, neither rain nor sleet nor slush nor snow will stop them from doing their duty. I have even seen them spreading salt out so people will not slip in the crosswalk.
Their job is to assist students and families (and sometimes their dogs) in crossing the streets in a safe and orderly fashion. They take their job quite seriously.
The Student Safety Patrol Team would like help from our parents and the parent drivers. When driving around a school zone, please:
- Slow Down – 30 km per hour is the maximum speed. Please respect the speed limit all along Eldon Road and down Ruby Avenue.
- Use the Crosswalks – There are two crosswalks on Eldon. Please be a positive role model for our students and make use of the crosswalks.
- Wait – When you are walking and get to the crosswalk in front of the school, please wait for the Safety Patrol Team members to stop traffic and motion that it is clear for you to proceed.
- Be Alert – We have many young children who sometimes do not notice traffic the way adults might. Please proceed cautiously when driving around a school, and be prepared to stop when a Safety Patrol Team member holds up their STOP sign.
- Be Patient – With over 340 families, sometimes it can take a bit of time to drive past Cleveland at the end of the day. Please demonstrate patience and understanding.
- Walk to School – If you live too far away to walk from your home, try parking a kilometer from the school and walk in with your children. Join the team for Walking Wednesdays.
Traffic Safety
Some facts from “Safe Crossings: Guidelines for School Crossing Programs” (2001), Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Province of British Columbia.
- Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and serious injury for young children
- In British Columbia, 20 percent of all pedestrian accidents involve children under 15 years of age
- About 60 percent of pedestrian accidents involving children under 15 years of age occurred during the morning, noon and afternoon peak hours.
“The challenge of traffic safety education for our children is greater today than ever. This challenge requires concerted action by parents, teachers, police officers, the municipal and/or provincial road authority and the community working together to keep our children safe.” Safe Crossings (2001)
Cleveland is fortunate to have a group of parents who are actively working with the District of North Vancouver and the North Vancouver School District to explore ways to help ensure the safety and well being of our students as they travel to and from school.
ICBC has some tips for parents and drivers, and I found this list on the Vancouver School Board web site – ICBC tips safety tips for parents and drivers.
Tomorrow we are introducing Walking Wednesdays. You should have read about it in last Friday’s newsletter. Please join them and show your support for walking to school.
Let’s all do our part to keep our children safe.
Take care.