Morningside Elementary: Re-designed for Safety

Morningside is currently undergoing construction on the sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus lanes with a grant received by the Georgia Department of Transportation. In 2008, Morningside Elementary and Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety (PEDS) completed the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program and applied for federal funding of up to $500,000. The grant was set into motion on October 29^th as construction began, requiring a temporary re-routing of carpool lanes and buses. This reconstruction will improve accessibility for pedestrians and bikers, repair sidewalks, establish crosswalks, and improve intersections for the students and the community.

The purpose of the Morningside Elementary Safe Routes to School Program is to create and maintain an environment for children in the Morningside Elementary School district to safely arrive at school. The specific goals of the program include:

• Reducing traffic congestion around the school by 10% every year;
• Create safer streets and sidewalks in the neighborhood through enforcement and engineering;
• Increase number of students walking and biking to school by 15% each year;
• Increase physical activity for children by at least 10% each year;
• Improve air quality and environment;
• Provide an opportunity to work together as a community to make our neighborhood safer for pedestrians and bicyclists;
• Increase driver awareness regarding traffic laws and pedestrian safety.

Morningside Elementary is anticipating the improvements of their school property that will increase the safety and wellness of their children. “We believe it is important to promote physical activity by encouraging students to walk to school everyday,” says Rebecca Pruitt, Principal at Morningside Elementary.

APS celebrates School Crossing Guard Recognition Week (Jan. 24-28)

A one-of-a-kind program will be celebrated by a one-of-a-kind school system next week when Atlanta Public Schools pays homage to its great protectors with APS School Crossing Guard Recognition Week (Jan. 24-28). The week will culminate with Awards and Recognition Day on Friday, Jan. 28, at 9:30 a.m. in the Brewer Building (2352 Bagwell Drive SW, Atlanta GA 30315).

With its launch in the fall of 2008, the program became the first certified school crossing guard program in Georgia and one of a few in the United States, according to APS School Crossing Guard Supervisor Carole Willis. School Crossing Guards (SCGs) receive 12 1/2 hours of initial training, eight hours of recertification (each year of their employ), Willis said. Most of the 85 SCGs are CPR/AED certified (via APS) and receive an overview of child-abuse information as part of their training.