Safety and Traffic Issues
Safety and Traffic Issues
Traffic congestion is reduced if students walk, bike, bus, carpool or skate to school whenever possible. No matter what the commute choice, please keep safety in mind, especially during peak commute periods.
Bike and Pedestrian Commutes
Please study the Safe Routes to School brochure with your student and review the map as well as safety basics such as bicyclists sharing the road with motorists and following the same traffic rules (e.g. riding on the right, stopping at stop signs, crossing at corners, etc.). Wearing a helmet is the single most effective safety measure any cyclist can take, and is required by state law (Section 2121 CVC) for those under 18. Students who ride their bikes, scooters, skates or skateboards and arrive at school without a helmet will not be allowed to ride home unless a helmet is brought to school.
Plan to take a walk or a bike ride to school together to fine tune the route.
Bus Procedures
Applications for bus passes are available in the Transportation Department at the PAUSD office, 25 Churchill Avenue. Call 329-3980 if you have questions. Bus transportation to school is a privilege and as a result students are expected to follow standards of appropriate conduct while on the bus. The driver is responsible for the safety of all passengers on the bus and has the authority to enforce all the rules. The driver is authorized to assign seats, if necessary. Infractions of the rules will be reported to the school principal. Loss of bus privileges and disciplinary action will be taken.
Students are expected to:
- Respect the authority of the driver.
- Board and exit the bus in an orderly manner.
- Keep their hands to themselves.
- Face forward and stay in their seat, and keep their head, hands, and feet inside the bus at all times.
- Talk quietly and with respect.
- Not eat on the bus.
Car Commutes
If you drive or carpool your student to school, please use extra caution on all routes leading into and out of the school. Congestion on Arastradero Road is compounded by school traffic to Gunn and Juana Briones. Motorists who drive regularly during school commute times should be especially cautious and allow extra time. Students may not disembark from a car on Arastradero Road. Drivers need to share the road safely with students who are bicycling and walking, keep speeds slow and be aware of other road users. Make sure to eliminate hazards such as foggy car windows, cell phone usage, and the last few bites of breakfast while traveling in school zones.
If you need to pick up your student in the afternoon, please arrive at least ten minutes after the final bell (that would be 3:15 p.m. on most days, and 1:50 p.m. on Wednesdays), in order to minimize auto traffic while student bicyclists and pedestrians are exiting onto Arastradero Road.
Please study the map and instructions below and follow the proper traffic flow when you do enter the campus.
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Palo Alto Unified School District
Webmaster | updated 8/08