Students will head back to school Aug. 11, the Alameda Unified School District’s first day of its new academic year. The following advice can help assure a safe, healthy school year.
Alameda police Brian Foster offers these tips for motorists:
• Avoid distractions in school zones to maximize focus on driving (turn down music, shut down the screen on your hands-free phone, etc.);
• anticipate high pedestrian and bicycle traffic in school areas;
• understand and anticipate that pedestrians and bicyclists may move quickly and in unexpected ways in school areas;
• drive defensively and slow down to give yourself more time to react to the increased pedestrian and cyclist density;
• and use turn signals early to warn cyclists if you are merging into a bike lane to make a right turn.
Foster offers this advice for pedestrians and cyclists:
• Avoid distractions when walking or cycling near a roadway (remove headphones, don’t look down at your phone while walking or riding);
• only cross at designated crosswalks and use the bike lane and cycling infrastructure whenever possible;
• make eye contact with drivers or exchange a friendly wave before crossing a street to ensure drivers see you and will stop before you cross the road;
• use crossing guard-controlled intersections and crossings whenever possible;
• and for cyclists, keep a close eye on turn signals to anticipate when a vehicle may merge into the bicycle lane to make a right turn.
Buses: Help reduce traffic at and around schools by taking a bus to school. AC Transit offers free bus passes at public schools for students in grades six through 12 whose families meet Alameda County’s free or reduced-priced meal income eligibility guidelines.
Students can apply for a Student Transit Passes using their school’s application on the “Apply for a Pass” page. Passes can take up to six weeks to arrive, so apply early (now!) and reach out to your site administrator with questions. A parent or guardian will need to sign the application.
The Student Transit Pass is totally free for qualifying students, but there is a $3 replacement fee for a lost card. You only need to apply once because the pass remains valid as long as a student is enrolled in a participating Alameda County middle or high school.
Get those shots: Vaccinations also help keep students and their families safe and healthy.
“I think it is important that people understand that, despite what is happening in Washington, D.C., there is currently no change in the vaccine requirements for attending daycare and school in California,” says local pediatrician Anne Parker, M.D. “California has very strict laws.
“In our practice, we stand by the importance and safety of the vaccines that we provide. Vaccines are currently one of the best ways we know to prevent serious illness in our children.”
Pediatrician Elisa Nicholas, M.D., adds that, “Routine vaccinations keep kids healthy and able to attend school and improve their overall health. Vaccines not only help prevent or lessen the severity of serious and deadly disease for individual children but also decrease spread to other children and adults.
“The best place to get immunizations is at your child’s doctor’s office, where they keep their immunization history. Your doctor is also happy to answer any questions you may have. If you don’t have a regular doctor, local pharmacies or health departments can provide immunizations as well. Protect your child, protect others!”
Alameda Food Bank: Federal budget cuts are impacting the Alameda Food Bank (AFB), where a federally funded United Way grant intended for buying food was recently canceled. This means less food for AFB to distribute at a time when more Alameda residents are facing economic uncertainty as a result of federal cuts and may need assistance from the food bank.
You can help AFB by making a financial donation if you can and asking your employer to make a matching grant. The food bank also needs volunteers. To donate and/or volunteer, or if you need assistance feeding yourself or your family, visit alamedafoodbank.org online.
Your city needs you: Various city of Alameda boards and commissions need volunteers for current openings, including the Social Services Human Relations Board, Commission on Persons With Disabilities, Golf Commission and Public Art Commission. Visit alamedaca.gov to learn more about these and other city boards and commissions, review agendas, watch videos of past meetings and submit an application online.
Be alert as you drive, walk or cycle; stay safe and healthy; and support the Alameda Food Bank! Serve on a city board or commission, and be “Alameda Strong!”
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. For contact information and other details, visit bit.ly/mayorashcraft online.