Safety Tips for Parents

Student safety is a top priority in the Anchorage School District. We know it’s extremely important to parents as well. Together we can work to make sure children are getting to and from school safely.

Please take a moment to review the information below and if you have more questions, please contact the Anchorage School District Safety Specialist, 907-742-4274.

Student Drop-off and Pick-up

Many parents are choosing to drive their children to and from school, particularly at the elementary school level. Frequently, caring parents unknowingly create traffic hazards as they drop off or pick up their children. By making simple changes, the danger to all students can be reduced. If your child is eligible for school bus service let them ride the bus.  It’s the safest way to get to and from school and helps reduce traffic congestion at their school.

If you have made the decision to drive your child to school each day then you also have the responsibility to plan enough time to account for traffic and children. Student pick-up and drop-off usually only takes 10-15 minutes. This waiting time provides a great opportunity to relax for a few minutes.

		Try not to arrive at the school prior to the final bell.	Fire Lanes The lanes used to drop-off and pick-up children are also designated fire lanes. By law, this means no stopping, except to actually load or unload. Parking or leaving your vehicle unattended could result in a $300 fine.   School Zones School zone traffic congestion is a significant safety hazard for school children in the Anchorage School District. Read more tips for how to stay safe in school zone.
		Have your vehicle seats clear so your child can easily enter the vehicle.
		Make sure car seat is installed properly before arriving at the school.
		Drop your child off as close to the school as possible so they do not have to cross streets.
		Make sure children enter and leave the vehicle on the curb side.
		Try to get out of fire lane as quickly as possible. Try to hold conversations in the parking lot or elsewhere. Read more about fire lanes »
		Avoid using handicapped parking spaces to pick up your child unless you have a designated permit.
		Do not double park or stop on crosswalks.
		Carpool when possible to cut down on traffic.

While Walking & Bicycling

Most schools are designed to allow children within one and a half miles to walk. In Alaska, children will walk to school in the dark for several months of the school year.			Walking Maps To receive a walking map for your child’s school, contact the municipal Traffic Department at 907-343-8406 or download one from their Web site. Bicycle Helmets Wearing a helmet is required for anyone 15 years or younger. Learn more about bike helmets and where to get a free one at http://anchoragebikehelmets.org/
		Choose a school route and practice walking it with your child
		Have your child wear reflector tape on their coats and backpacks
		Encourage students to travel in groups
		Teach children to recognize traffic signals and pavement markings. A walk signal does not always mean it is safe to cross, they still need to look both ways before crossing.
		Follow instructions provided by school crossing guards.

Wearing reflective material   makes a difference!! Studies have shown that pedestrians walking along a road in dark clothing at night are first seen approximately 55 feet away giving the driver less than one second reaction time. A driver traveling at 60 MPH needs over 260 feet to stop. The chart on the right list the distances at which different colors can be seen at night.

Rules of the road for all drivers

	Examples of the school bus safety law
	4 lanes with no separation	4 lanes with turning lane	4 lanes with median
	2 lane roadway	2 lanes with turning lane

Visiting schools

Parents and community members are welcome to visit our schools --- we encourage you to be involved!  In the interest of student safety, please be prepared to sign in at the office and show identification upon request. If a staff member stops you to ask for identification, please be aware that this is a safety precaution and is not intended to offend you or discourage your visit.  Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe for students and staff.

On the playground

While your children are at school they are carefully monitored on the playground to keep them safe, but parents can help schools by teaching kids safe playing behaviors. In Alaska, a unique hazard we need to prepare our kids for when playing outside is how to be safe around moose.

	Check out these KidSafe flyers for do's and don'ts on the playground
		Playtime safety at parks and playgrounds
		Moose safety

And last but not least…don't forget your patience!

Not only is patience a virtue, bringing it with you to and from school will make your trip more enjoyable. We’re in this together. We all want to get children to and from school safely.