A student’s journey to school is the first step in their day of learning. Whether walking, biking, riding the bus, or arriving by car, every student deserves a safe route to and from campus. San Diego Unified is committed to supporting student wellness by creating safe, welcoming schools and working to ensure the paths your child takes to get there are as safe as possible.
"Our schools strive every day to provide safe environments for all students, but that responsibility extends beyond our campus boundaries," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D.. “We are working with city leaders to improve the routes students use every day. At the same time, each of us can make a difference by slowing down, staying alert, and putting safety first whenever we're near a school."
Traffic safety around schools is a shared responsibility. Families, drivers, students, schools, and community partners all play an important role in protecting our children during the busy arrival and dismissal periods.
San Diego Unified continues to invest in making its campuses safe, while also working with the City of San Diego to improve the streets, intersections, sidewalks, and crossings that students use every day.
San Diego Unified’s Police Department is also working daily with a multidisciplinary team and the community to improve overall school safety; and as students are heading back to school Police Chief Todd Jarvis has some tips for families to consider.
"The beginning and end of the school day are when we see the most activity around our schools,” said Chief Jarvis. “We’re asking all parents, especially those of our elementary and middle school students, please talk with your children about adhering to the traffic signage around their campuses and to follow the directions from school site staff.
“For drivers: the simplest way to keep our children safe is to slow down, stay alert, and follow the rules of the road. A few extra minutes of patience can make all the difference in preventing a tragedy.”
Tips for Families, Drivers & Students
For Families
✓ Review your child's safest route to school.
✓ Practice walking or driving the route before the first day.
✓ Leave early to avoid rushing.
✓ Model safe behavior by using crosswalks and obeying traffic laws.
✓ Report traffic safety concerns to your school so they can be shared with the District.
For Drivers
✓ Slow down in school zones.
✓ Put your phone away.
✓ Stop for school buses with flashing red lights.
✓ Never double park or make illegal U-turns.
✓ Watch for children at all times.
✓ Use designated pick-up and drop-off areas.
For Students
✓ Use crosswalks and follow crossing guards.
✓ Look left, right, and left again before crossing.
✓ Make eye contact with drivers.
✓ Walk—don't run—across the street.
✓ Wear a helmet when riding a bike, e-bike, scooter, or skateboard.
✓ Exit the vehicle on the curb side and always wear your seat belt.
“Safe routes to school are essential to student success and wellness,” Superintendent Bagula continued. “When students can travel safely and confidently to school, they arrive ready to learn.”
Article written by James Canning on behalf of the San Diego Unified School District Strategic Communications and Information Department.