Clean & Safe: The city is here to help you safely transit-ion back to school

August 20, 2024 11:19 AM
by Jason Kligier

Updated Aug. 21, 2024.

Just like that, it’s time for the 2024-2025 academic year to begin. We wish all our students great success in the upcoming year. Returning to school after summer break – especially when you’re starting at a new school – is often *a bit* chaotic, so we at the city of Santa Monica have been in coordination with local partners to make at least one piece of the new routine smoother – getting to school safely.

Getting our community where they need to go safely is our top priority, and we have your back for back to school. Here are five ways the city supports our community’s students in getting safely to and from school.

  1. Crossing guards. Our beloved crossing guards will be back this year at every SMMUSD campus to help manage critical intersections so everyone can get to and from school safely. Be sure to wave and say thank you the next time you see your local guard! Click here for a map of crossing guard locations.

  2. Community-oriented public transit. Skip the drop off and parking queues and take public transit. SMMUSD participates in the regional GoPass program, which provides free rides to all K-12 students. This includes rides on Big Blue Bus – with a registered GoPass, students at participating schools can ride Big Blue Bus to and from school (and for trips after school and on weekends). Contact your school to obtain your card and use the Transit app to plan your trip. Learn more about riding Big Blue Bus to school.

  3. Pedestrian improvements at schools. The city has commenced construction on the Pedestrian Improvements at Six Schools project, which is building community-identified improvements around the following six schools: Edison Language Academy, SMASH, John Muir, McKinley Elementary, Grant Elementary and Franklin Elementary. This follows the improvements completed in 2021 at Lincoln Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School, John Adams Middle School and Will Rogers Learning Community. Construction will be phased and coordinated with each campus to minimize disruptions.

  4. School safety tips. Please check out these school safety tips from the Santa Monica Police Department, including information for drivers as they navigate the streets around our schools.

  5. Alternate modes of transportation. Parents are strongly encouraged to carpool, walk, bike, or take transit. Parents can get involved in their community and support their children’s wellbeing by creating bike buses or walking school buses.

We know the first few weeks of school are hectic as parents and students figure out a new routine. Please bear with us on any construction-related detours from the improvements and plan ahead. And give each other grace – we’re all in this together!

Authored By

Jason Kligier
Chief Planning Officer

Categories

Getting Around, Programs, Ways to Get Around, Youth And Seniors