The West U Walks Program helps ease the traffic and parking issues during construction. Please support the PTO’s efforts to encourage students and parents to walk, bike or scooter during the morning hours. The plan includes prizes each month for participating classes. Patrols will be stationed along the sidewalks leading up to the school to insure a safe walk to the school building.
Everyone who participates in the program will also qualify for our rewards program. On the first day of school, each homeroom class will have a calendar to track the participation of the class. Details will be available from your teacher.
- Students earn one point for carpooling (with children from at least one other family) and being dropped off at the old carpool sites on University in front of the school.
- Students will earn three points; for walking, or riding a bike or scooter (and thus removing a vehicle from traffic!)
At the end of the first week of school, the three classes with the most points win a Popsicle party!
At the end of the first month, EVERY class with a minimum of 500 points will also win a Popsicle party. With approximately 20 school days a month and 22 students receive at least one point a day equals 440 points-easy, isn't it!
Look for more information about this fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly program in the weeks to come!
Ideas or questions?
Contact Jill Wasserstrom, parl@westupto.org
Safety Tips
Biking on main roads or in traffic can be dangerous (and scary!).
It’s crucial to stay alert and be cautious. Remember, you may be riding a bike—but you’re actually driving’ the same way you would if you were in a car.
Always follow traffic signals and road signs, just like cars do.
How can you make biking in city situations as safe as possible? Well, let’s find out. How many of these rules do you already follow?
- Always ride on the RIGHT. Remember to ‘go with the flow’. Never, ever ride against traffic. Cars will not be expecting to find a biker when they round a corner or go over a hill.
- Ride single file. When passing other bikers or pedestrians, let them know your position by shouting out something like, ‘On your left!’
- Always check behind you when changing lanes.
- Watch out for dangerous things in the road way. Road litter, potholes, gravel and storm gates can all cause you to lose control.
- Stop at all stop signs and at all street lights. Be extra careful at crossroads.
- Always signal before making a left or right turn. To make a left turn: look behind you, hold your left arm straight out and proceed carefully. For a right turn hold you left arm out and up in an ‘L’ shape.
- Keep control of your bike. Don’t swerve or make sudden turns. Drivers may not be able to react fast enough to avoid colliding with you.
- Ride at least 3 feet away from parked cars. Someone could open their door unexpectedly and well, yikes!
- Listen for cars approaching from the side or behind you.
- Don’t follow cars too closely (you may be in their blind spot).
- Know your road signs (ROAD SIGNS TEST) and obey them. A smart biker follows the rules of the road.
- (And finally!) Always be prepared to stop. Keep your hands on or close to the brakes.
Safety tips for walkers:
- Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the road, always walk FACING traffic, so you can see any car that might go out of control.
- Tips for Crossing the Street.
- Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
- Stop at the curb, or the edge of the road.
- Stop and look left, then right, then left again, before you step into the street.
- If you see a car, wait until it goes by. Then look left, right and left again until no cars are coming.
- If a car is parked where you are crossing, make sure there is no driver in the car. Then go to the edge of the car and look left-right-left until no cars are coming. Keep looking for cars while you are crossing, and remember, walk. Don’t run.