WFP: Traffic woes at schools 'universal complaint' (Dec.18'12)
[Hmmm, School Travel Planning anyone?! Bike, walk, anyone? -Beth] Traffic woes at schools 'universal complaint'
By: Nick Martin http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/traffic-woes-at-schools-universal-com...
TRAFFIC can be a nightmare around every school in the Winnipeg School Division.
No, not just the speeders who treat a school zone as a freeway -- it's caused primarily by parents dropping off and picking up their kids. There's often nowhere to park, no loop in front of the main doors and nowhere for kids to get in and out of cars easily and safely.
"It was a universal complaint about every school," said trustee Mark Wasyliw, but "no two schools are similar."
Earlier this year, trustee Mike Babinsky requested a staff report on traffic problems around Meadows West School, near Keewatin Street in northwest Winnipeg. Wasyliw had already heard and seen lots of problems in southern schools, so he got board support to amend Babinsky's request to cover every school in the division.
The results were staggering -- not one school reported itself free of traffic problems, said Wasyliw. "This is the No. 1 issue that is universal in every school.
"No one realized this is a large and difficult issue," he said. "The transportation department is reviewing it with each and every school."
Residents complain about cars parked and stopping all over the area of Kelvin High School, he said.
J.B. Mitchell in River Heights is kitty-corner to St. Jean Brebeuf School, a Catholic school, creating double the chaos. At Robert H. Smith School, also in River Heights, residents park on the street, forcing parents to double- and triple-park, often letting their kids out of the car straight into traffic.
"Grosvenor's fast," Wasyliw said. "They're (Grosvenor School) worried about putting grades 4 and 5 out as crossing guards."
Several schools are asking for adult crossing guards, which adds to the division's budget dilemma, said Wasyliw.
"We're looking at possibly doing staggered bell times," to ease congestion, and so buses could pick up and drop off kids for more than one school.
Many older schools have no area in which parents can pull in, Wasyliw said. "Bus loops and cutouts, they're 100 grand each. We have 13 schools (that) want them."
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
There is an interesting scenario unfolding in Waverly Heights. See Nov 6th press release below.
The Province is constructing 8 new classrooms AND a day care in an older established neighbourhood. (as no school in Waverly West)
How will this provincial decision impact a residential neighbourhood?
- Will the Province (MLA Dave Gaudreau) only deal with traffic on their property (motorized and pedestrian)
- Will the City (Councillor J. Swandel) make new investments in AT and vehicle infrastructure on local streets to support the Provincial decision to increase classrooms / child care space?
- Do the area residents have any idea how this will impact traffic in their neighbourhood?
We should all be concerned as to how both levels of government deal with this.
Janice Lukes
Subject: Manitoba News Release: Provincial Government to Fund New Classrooms, Child-care Spaces for Families in South Winnipeg
November 6, 2012
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO FUND NEW CLASSROOMS, CHILD-CARE SPACES FOR FAMILIES IN SOUTH WINNIPEG
- - -
Government Moves Forward on Renovations for Eight new Classrooms,
74 new Child-care Spaces: Premier
Renovations to Bonnycastle School in Pembina Trails School Division, including the building of eight new classrooms, will help meet the growing demand for more classroom space and quality child care, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
"We're focused on reducing class sizes in the early years because we know that small classes mean our kids can get more of the attention they need," said Selinger. "For families in the area, these improvements will help give their kids a better start in life."
Bonnycastle School accommodates students from kindergarten to Grade 6, as well as a kindergarten to Grade 3 French immersion program. In addition to the eight new classrooms, the 10,500‑square‑foot expansion will also expand the school's French immersion program.
The premier also noted the Cairns Children's Centre, located within Bonnycastle School, will also be renovated to add 6,100 square feet of space for 74 new child-care spaces.
"Manitoba's child-care system is among the very best in Canada and with new spaces, we'll give families more options and keep making our system even better," said Selinger.
The Pembina Trails School Division will work with a consultant to begin design work. The expansion is expected to be complete by spring/summer 2014.
From: at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca] On Behalf Of Beth McKechnie Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 8:42 AM To: AT network Subject: [At-network] WFP: Traffic woes at schools 'universal complaint' (Dec.18'12)
[Hmmm, School Travel Planning anyone?! Bike, walk, anyone? -Beth]
Traffic woes at schools 'universal complaint'
By: Nick Martin
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/traffic-woes-at-schools-universal-com...
TRAFFIC can be a nightmare around every school in the Winnipeg School Division.
No, not just the speeders who treat a school zone as a freeway -- it's caused primarily by parents dropping off and picking up their kids. There's often nowhere to park, no loop in front of the main doors and nowhere for kids to get in and out of cars easily and safely.
"It was a universal complaint about every school," said trustee Mark Wasyliw, but "no two schools are similar."
Earlier this year, trustee Mike Babinsky requested a staff report on traffic problems around Meadows West School, near Keewatin Street in northwest Winnipeg. Wasyliw had already heard and seen lots of problems in southern schools, so he got board support to amend Babinsky's request to cover every school in the division.
The results were staggering -- not one school reported itself free of traffic problems, said Wasyliw. "This is the No. 1 issue that is universal in every school.
"No one realized this is a large and difficult issue," he said. "The transportation department is reviewing it with each and every school."
Residents complain about cars parked and stopping all over the area of Kelvin High School, he said.
J.B. Mitchell in River Heights is kitty-corner to St. Jean Brebeuf School, a Catholic school, creating double the chaos. At Robert H. Smith School, also in River Heights, residents park on the street, forcing parents to double- and triple-park, often letting their kids out of the car straight into traffic.
"Grosvenor's fast," Wasyliw said. "They're (Grosvenor School) worried about putting grades 4 and 5 out as crossing guards."
Several schools are asking for adult crossing guards, which adds to the division's budget dilemma, said Wasyliw.
"We're looking at possibly doing staggered bell times," to ease congestion, and so buses could pick up and drop off kids for more than one school.
Many older schools have no area in which parents can pull in, Wasyliw said. "Bus loops and cutouts, they're 100 grand each. We have 13 schools (that) want them."
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
participants (2)
-
Beth McKechnie -
Janice Lukes