Dear parents,
I have been spending a lot of time thinking about traffic, and particularly bicycle, safety this fall. Many of you have spoken to me out in front of the school both before and after class. We talk about the safety practices put into place in recent years; the red curbs for bus drop-off, the yellow curbs for parent drop off, the work of the city-staffed crossing guard position, bicycle parking, etc. All of these practices cumulatively provide a safe environment for our kids' getting to and from school. But if our children are not keeping themselves safe, these practices will not be enough.
This is why we as a school community are focusing this month on training our kids in bike safety. On October 6, El Carmelo's PTA is sponsoring "Bringing up Bicyclists" at 7pm in the MP room. A bicycle expert will explain to us how we as parents can help our students keep themselves safe. Also that week, Oct. 6-8, the Walk and Roll to School program will encourage walking and biking to school. On Oct. 16, the 3rd graders will receive bike safety input at the annual Bike Rodeo, with a word from the PD, FD on safety and practical training from volunteers with students' own bikes on the field at school.
Please support our bike and traffic safety program by talking to your child about safety and by supporting our various efforts this month and throughout the school year.
Chuck Merritt
