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Safe Walking Route

Dear Parents:

Walking to school each day can be part of a good exercise program that keeps your child healthy, fit, and ready to learn. Children who walk to school also help minimize parking lot congestion at our school. We have developed safe school walk routes to encourage walking and safe pedestrian behaviors.

This school walk route map shows the recommended route for your child to use walking to and from school each day. Please review the safe walk routes and consider the path your child will take to school each day.  As parents, you will determine the route your child should take from your doorstep to the designated safe walk route found on the map.

The safe walk route plan has been developed based on traffic patterns and traffic controls such as crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights, and safety patrol posts.  Please note, the designated safe walk route may not be the shortest way to school, but it is important that children follow the route, even if they have to walk a little farther to do so.

Please help your child become familiar with their route by walking it together. Teach your child to use designated crosswalks and to follow these safety rules:

  • Stop at the edges of driveways, alleys, and curbs or edges of the street where no curb exists and look left right, and left again for vehicles before crossing the street.
  • Walk, don’t run, across the street.
  • Cross at intersections, using traffic signals and crosswalks whenever possible.
  • Walk on the sidewalks, berms, and trails when they are available, or if it is safe and you must walk on the side of the road, walk on the edge, facing traffic if there is no sidewalk.
  • Make sure drivers see you before crossing in front of them. Always attempt to make eye contact.
  • Do not play in driveways, streets, or by the side of the road.
  • Wear highly visible clothing or reflectors when walking in the dark and use a flashlight.
  • Cross at least 10 feet in front of a school bus or other large vehicle. Always attempt to make eye contact.
  • Don’t walk while texting or e-mailing.
  • Be aware of your surroundings, avoid wearing hoods or hats that restrict vision.  Avoid wearing earphones and listening to loud music.

Safety patrol members will be posted before and after school at the crosswalks as indicated on the map. Remember to instruct your child to follow the patrol member’s instructions.

These routes will be reviewed yearly and may change as conditions along the route change.  Student safety is a shared responsibility.  Let's work together to encourage safe travel to and from our school.

Sincerely,

Julie Newcomer

Principal | Northwood Elementary