You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March 2008.
Appeal to parents on school parking Mar 20 2008
County council bosses are calling on Lichfield parents to consider the consequences of their actions when parking outside school gates. This week, Staffordshire County Council urged parents not to put their children’s lives in peril by parking dangerously each day. Instead, they are being urged to park further away and walk the final distance to the school gates. Staffordshire’s Road Safety team have appealed to parents to use their powers of persuasion to stop other mums and dads from dropping their children off right outside the school gates. The reminder is part of a continuing campaign to tackle the tragedy of child road casualties. County Cabinet member for Road Safety Councillor Carol Dean said it was particularly frustrating when parents themselves were adding to the danger. She said: “Some parents seem to have a real blind spot on this one. They think the rules which restrict parking outside the school gates are there for others to obey, just so they can slip through. But this is a serious self-delusion.”
“School gates yellow hatching is there because this is a dangerous place for kids. Parked cars cause a real danger, blocking sight lines and generating the chaos that can lead to death or serious injury.”Cllr John Walker, a Governer at Charnwood Primary School, said the problems posed by parents parking dangerously is one that affects all schools. He said: “People dropping their kids off each day double park along the length of the road which makes it dangerous for everyone. Buses and other traffic struggle to get through the gap left. It is a problem for most schools. I am fully in support of what the county council are saying. Parents do need to be more considerate.”
But one mum said some parents have no choice about where they park when dropping their children off. Elaine Patterson, whose daughter attends a busy Lichfield primary school, said the school run had become a nightmare. She said: “I leave the house at 8.30am to take my daughter to school and I have no choice but to park wherever I can because by the time I get there, which is well before school opens, there are cars lined up on both sides of the street. “I always ensure I am not causing any disruption or blocking anyone in but not everyone does the same.”
In recent years, cars parking at school times have become a real nightmare not only for parents and staff, but also for residents. One man, who did not wish to be named, lives near to Netherstowe school in Lichfield and said he has been plagued by problems. He said: “I look forward to school holidays as much as the kids do. It means I can get in and out of my driveway in the morning without worrying about being blocked in and having to confront an angry parent.”
* Let us know what you think? Contact The Post on 01543 258523 or e-mail lichfield_post@mrn.co.uk
Alternatively why not be pro-active in reducing the number of cars outside OUR school and ask friends and family to be more considerate when they are dropping their children off at school too. The walking bus is a great way to enjoy the lovely spring weather and it helps keep your children active and healthy too.
Have a great Easter holiday.
Matt Higginson
At the end of another term and the start of the Easter Holidays I would like to say a BIG congratulations to ALL of the children and parents who continue to support the walking bus.
I look forward to seeing you all after the Easter break.
For your information we have some GOODIES to hand out at the start of next term for all of those who are using the walking bus – WATCH THIS SPACE.
Have a happy and Holy Easter.
God Bless
Matt
Did any mums and dads watch the programme tonight about traffic congestion….. it was so good you can now find a permanent link on the left hand side of the BLOG.
What can YOU do to do YOUR part….. here in Lichfield? Come on help us REDUCE THE SCHOOLS – CARBON FOOTPRINT and make a healthier, safer environment for OUR children…. you can use your feet, your bike, your skateboard…. feel the wind in your hair, the rain drops on your face, the tingle in your fingers…. enjoy chatting with friends and neighbours and meet new ones on the way.
It’s a RADICAL thing leaving your car at home…. who knows it may even become habit forming.
Remember it is EASY to do nothing.
Why not add a comment and let us know what you think.
Matt
Another first this morning – OUR first Walking Bus photo….. don’t we look smart in our bright HVJ’s!!!
Matt
Thanks to Jane Burke and Philip Flahive who have engineered to keep the Walking Bus LOGO (and BLOG address) on EVERY school newsletter from now on…. it looks really good next to the Healthy Schools Logo which the school can now display with pride following an award ceremony at Stafford County Hall last Wednesday.
What a great result too – in less than 3 days we have had almost 50 hits on the BLOG….. its working!!!
Come on St Josephs… lets make the Walking Bus THE BIG SUCCESS of 2008 and beyond.
I’m so proud of you all – keep up the good work.
Matt Higginson
PS Did you know that you can get email updates everytime the BLOG is updated or commented upon by clicking on the Subscribe to feed link on the left hand side of the BLOG!!!
A BIG welcome to Cathie Nicholson who has recently done her driver training for the Boley Park route with Sue Benton. Cathie is mum to Justina in year one and they have recently moved to the area from Yorkshire.
Thanks for getting involved.
Matt
The majority of studies of young people indicate declining participation in physical activity. Only half of 11-16 year olds currently walk for ten minutes a day (Health Education Authority 1999).
Children in Britain walk 50 miles a year less than they did a decade ago. Around 20% of children can be classed as overweight (Reilly et al 1999). TV, computers, cultural changes and fears for children’s safety out of doors play a large part.
Between 1986 and 1996 the proportion of under 17 year olds walking to school fell from 59% to 49%. British schools offer less physical education than do those in any other European country.
The Health Education Authority recommends that “all young people should participate in physical activity of at least moderate intensity for one hour per day. Examples of moderate intensity activities for all young people may include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, most sports or dance” (Cavill, Biddle & Sallis 2001).
Walking offers a great way to help kids get the active habit. If parents express excitement about the prospect of a walk in the countryside, they are more likely to transmit this feeling to their children. It’s important to treat the walk as an exploration or adventure and to go at the child’s pace, no matter how often they want to stop and look at things; take treats to eat and plenty to drink; and head for some landmark that will appeal to them such as a castle, a playground, an ice cream van or a boating pond.
If children experience walking as part of a fun activity they are more likely to want to go again.
Taken from http://www.ramblers.org.uk/INFO/everyone/health.html#Children
Well there is no doubt about the Walking Bus here at St Jospehs it is always fun…. even in foul weather. if you dont believe me why not sign up the kids and bring your children along to try it out (you are always welcome to walk with the bus until you feel that the children are settled – which is usually VERY quickly.
Matt
Check out the song all about the “wallking bus”….. kind of a catchy tune!!!
Matt
Sue Benton (who is the county co-ordinator for all of the walking buses in Staffordshire) has told me today that this is the FIRST blog to be used by any of the more than 100 walking bus schemes in Staffordshire – another GREAT first for St Josephs.
Did you know that OUR walking BUS is SOOOOO popular Sue Benton has been receiving calls from the parents of children at St Michaels school asking how they can start their own bus??
Oh…. and Happy Birthday to Ellie Zanin… who is 6yrs old today. She walked to school this morning being serenaded by all of the other passengers on the bus with a LOUD rendition of Happy Birthday To You!!!
Matt Higginson
Congratulations to everyone who was on the walking bus this morning the 4th March 2008.
With twenty one children and 4 drivers….. this is the biggest bus we have driven to school so far.
Just this one bus alone will have taken at least 7 cars of an already overcrowded and busy Cherry Orchard.
Make sure you give yourself a good ole’ pat on the back AND spread the news and tell your friends how well you’ve done.
Matt Higginson
Recent Comments