Go! program funded by State Legislature

Addresses pedestrian safety at four West Seattle schools

SEATTLE—April 26, 2006—Staff from West Seattle schools and SHA got word in mid-March that Washington State legislators said “Yes!” to their request for funding a traffic safety and community-building program called “Go!”

The new program will be funded with $114,000 by the State’s Department of Transportation. It will address the unique safety needs of four West Seattle schools– three elementary schools and one middle school. Included in the program are Sanislo, Fairmount Park, High Point Elementary Schools, and Denny Middle School.

Each school will develop their own program through a community involvement process. Programs at each site will include a “Basics of Bicycling” education program, a “walking audit” by staff and students to identify how to improve neighborhood pedestrian systems, the involvement of the Seattle Police in safety improvements and the development of “walking school buses” to establish safe and effective walking routes through the neighborhoods around each of the participating schools.

Additionally, Go! will provide for the development and implementation of a “photo-radar” pilot program that will allow the police to analyze the effectiveness of photo-technology in the enforcement of speed limits in school zones.

Sanislo Elementary will act as the grant administrator, but staff and students from all the schools will be involved, along with Kari-lynn Frank, SHA’s High Point community builder.

Project goals promote both safety and healthy exercise

The program will address the safety and health needs of children through increased education in a positive motivational atmosphere. Administrators, teachers, parents and students will use innovative tools to increase pedestrian safety including Walking School Bus, and bicycle and bus safety programs.

The program will also promote a safe and healthy lifestyle by motivating children to be active.

The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce the number of accidents and near accidents associated with pedestrians in and around Fairmount Park, High Point, and Sanislo Elementary Schools.

The program will be implemented through a partnership among the schools and community organizations including Cascade Bicycle Club, Feet First, and Seattle Housing Authority.

Program activities geared to increase pedestrian safety

A comprehensive evaluation of each school’s individual challenges and opportunities will be completed through walking audits at each site. Walking audits will be conducted with student participation and with the participation of the district’s transportation office and Seattle Department of Transportation.  Based on the individual evaluations, a safety improvement plan will be developed for each school. Teachers, parents, students and administrators will receive training and support for each program element.