Three Elementary Schools Making Commute Routes Safer for Kids

Elementary school officials from across the county are gathering Wednesday to try and make commutes safer for its students.

Representatives from three Dunedin schools — , and — will meet with community leaders, school board members, parent-teacher groups, transportation and engineering specialists, police and fire officials and representatives from 11 other Pinellas County schools at Countryside High School for the Safe Routes to School Conference.

Representatives are aiming to identify issues that make commutes dangerous for kids at their specific schools in workshop-style discussions, Peggy Johns, supervisor for pre-K health education at Pinellas County Schools, said.

Johns said parent-teacher groups have been instrumental in the safety programs because they can help organize parents, who participate in walking school buses.

"It's not just the school's problem when there are not safe walking paths for kids on the way to school," Johns said. 

Conference organizers include Pinellas County Health Department and Pinellas County Schools. Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Steel is also attending.

Other elementary schools participating in the conference are:

Belcher, Cypress Woods, Frontier, Gulfport, High Point, John M. Sexton, McMullen Booth, Mildred Helms, Ponce De Leon, Starkey and Walsingham.

Some Other Helpful Safety Links:

Safe Routes to School (national) 

Safe Routes to School (Florida)

Florida School Crossing Guard Training Program

Facts about Florida School Bus Safety & Florida School Bus Drivers