Transit = Security
The safety of our students is paramount. The example to our children is important and being aware of the neighbors who live around the school are an essential part of the design of these rules and tips. Remember, the rules are not made to hinder your life or waste your time at work, they are made for something more important: protect our students.
Any attempt to not comply with California Traffic Regulations can be a potential threat to children and other members of the community. The Santa Monica Police Department is working closely with schools to monitor traffic and impose fines on people who violate the rules.
Traffic laws in a school area are synonymous with SAFETY.
Whether they come to school walking, pedaling or driving on their own, here are some safety tips so you can teach your children as they prepare for back to school.
EDISON HAS A GREAT ADVANTAGE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER IT: Near the school is the VIRGINIA PARK with large parking spaces both on the Virginia Avenue side and on the Pico Blvd side (near the entrance to Kansas Street). This would allow him to take a walk of a few blocks. That's why we recommend the routine of parking in the park and walking to school. The streets around Edison are narrow and there are always cars parked on both sides of the street. If you avoid the use of the car in the vicinity of the school, it not only helps traffic but it would avoid any stress of going through narrow spaces with your vehicle and, in addition, it raises the possibility of having a pleasant conversation with other parents, students and teachers.
General Safety Tips for the School Zone
Whether you are passing through a school area or taking your child to school, you need to pay close attention. Here are some points to remember when driving:
Try to leave the house early to avoid trouble. Nerves for arriving before an hour can be the cause of all kinds of accidents. If you leave late, don't worry, don't speed up along the way. It's better to be late than not to arrive.
Following the previous point, slow down and obey the indicated speed limits.
Never overtaking other vehicles or school buses.
Pay attention to the crossing guards and volunteers at the doors of the School and be aware of their signals.
Avoid texting or using your cell phone when driving.
Never change lanes within a school area.
Follow all the procedures on how to leave your children in school.
When leaving or picking up a student, avoid using the lanes or spaces for emergency vehicles and the disabled.
Safety tips for those who come to school on foot
Without a doubt, it is the easiest and most fun way to go to school. On the way you can talk to your child and also do some exercise. There are some pedestrian safety tips that you can consult and they should remember when walking to school:
Plan a safe route with sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. If there are no sidewalks, try to walk on the side of the street so that you can go in front of the traffic.
Practice walking the route with your child before the first day of school.
He talks about paying attention to traffic and using pedestrian crossings. The street should always be crossed at the corners or at pedestrian crossings, never in the middle of the street. Before crossing the street, look on both sides and check that the car stops completely. Something to keep in mind is to make eye contact with the driver to help increase the probability that he will see you.
Look for classmates who live on the same route and want to go on foot too. Tell him to always go with a partner and never walk alone.
Avoid rough play such as pushing or pulling while walking to school.
Provide your child with useful safety equipment, including reflective tape on backpacks, jackets or shoes.
Safety tips for those who come to school by bicycle
Going to school by bike is convenient and fun. Check out these safety tips for riding a bike.
Find the safest route possible: in streets with bike lanes they are ideal and if they are regular streets then try to use those with less traffic.
Invest in safety equipment that includes bicycle lights and a helmet of the appropriate size.
Wear light clothing or reflective vests especially during the winter months when it dawns later and darkens earlier.
Talk about traffic rules and bicycle signage with your child; and try to ride on the right side of the street when possible.
Make sure your child goes with an adult and always in a single row.
Advice for parents who take their children to school by car
Many parents will find themselves taking their children to school and picking them up. Here are some things you should keep in mind while driving in a school area.
Be careful with children walking to school and getting out of the vehicles.
Do not park in a double row. Think: the street is narrow and makes traffic worse, your child is not near the sidewalk (dangerous), you can receive a very expensive fine... Avoid the bad time for you and others.
Sharing the car with several children can help reduce congestion.
Never block a pedestrian crossing that forces pedestrians to walk around your vehicle.
Follow the instructions indicated by the school patrol or the crossing officer.
Please never leave your car unattended in the red zone or in the middle of a pedestrian crossing. The chance of winning a fine is high.
Virginia and Kansas Avenue have two-way traffic but from our experience, we recommend that you follow the vehicular direction as indicated in the graph below. This has a double advantage, helps to improve the flow of the cars considerably and also your student would get out of the car on the side of the sidewalk that corresponds to him/her without having to cross the street. Basically it would work like this: 1- If you use the Virginia entrance, enter from Cloverfield and exit through 27th St. 2- If you use the Kansas entrance, try to enter through Stewart St. and exit towards Cloverfield Blvd.
Already knowing all this, you can already feel that you are part of a respectful community that values everyone's safety. We are very grateful that these values are transmitted in all directions (to their children, to their neighbors and to other parents) because that is the culture that Edison wants us to be part of.