Communities and cities across southern Alberta are dropping their tips and tricks for keeping pedestrians, students and drivers alike safe during the back to school season.
The Tosguna Tsuut’ina Police released a post on social media, imploring local drivers to watch out for increased levels of youth walking, bussing and taking crosswalks. The post asks drivers to “Please slow down in school zones, stay alert at crosswalks, and be prepared for children who may cross unexpectedly.”
The Blood Tribe Council is reminding parents that students transportation services are being run through the Kainai Board of Education or KBE. Parents and guardians are encouraged to communicate directly with the KBE for transportation-related matters.
Siksika Nation posted a letter from Christopher Scout, the superintendent of the Siksika Board of Education on social media welcoming parents, teachers and students back to the school year, and said to honour the 30th anniversary of the closing of residential schools, Siksika Board of Education is launching Aohkaniin A’po’takssini, a special project. The post also said a new system-wide learning for staff, as they will be doing a book study on the novel “Reclaiming Youth At Risk: Our Hope For The Future.
Medicine Hat is also reminding drivers that students with the Medicine Hat Catholic School Board of Education started classes today, while the Medicine Hat Public School division along with the Prairie Rose Public School students will be back in class tomorrow. Drivers are being warned about increased foot and vehicle traffic around school zones, and reminds motorists that this time of year requires some extra attention on the roads.
Children can also be unpredictable in the early weeks of school returning, as they settle back into their routines, and Medicine Hat Police are asking drivers to put their distractions down.
The City of Calgary has also launched a “Simon Says” safety awareness campaign, aimed at kids kindergarten aged to Grade 5. Resource officers in schools are encouraging students to walk with friends when possible, know your trusted adults, and to be thoughtful about posting on social media.
For drivers, reminders about school zone rules and increased foot traffic in areas around schools are aplenty. Parents and caregivers are also asked to carve out some extra time in the mornings when shuttling out their young ones.
Okotoks RCMP also made it a point to remind drivers about the importance of stopping for school busses as children return to school. When the stop arm is extended, and lights are flashing, drivers in both directions must come to a stop, unless the roadway is divided by a median. Failing to do so can result in a $567 ticket, and up to 6 demerit points.
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