Addressing Safety Concerns at Central Public School

Wednesday, 7 March 2018 at 14:17

Oxford County Public Health and the Central Public School took an important step towards student safety today.

WOODSTOCK - Oxford County Public Health and the Central Public School took an important step towards student safety today.

They did a walkabout with parents and staff to address some of the biggest safety concerns for kids walking to school and parent drop off. Public Health Nurse Kelly Vanderhoeven says they were happy with the turnout this morning.

"All of these community stakeholders have come together to look at the areas of concern that were identified in the parent and youth surveys at Central Public School and then were here to talk about the solutions to overcome those problems."

Some of the intersections identified in the include the ones at Hunter, Light and Graham Streets. After the walkabout, they met in a classroom to brainstorm some solutions to their problems. They identified three things that could be done to make the trip into school safer.

1. Have more students who are eligible to take the bus, to actually take the bus. This would reduce the amount of vehicles around the school in the morning, making it safer to get the kids to school.

2. Work with the local High School and their leadership team to come to Central Public School to educate the students about pedestrian and bicycle safety.

3. A new by-law will be coming to the City in the Fall that will reduce the speed limit around schools to 40 km/hr and also making it so their is no stopping in front of the schools. They will be working with the City to educate parents on the new by-laws and what it means for them."

Woodstock Mayor Trevor Birtch joined the walkabout today. He says it was a real eye opener.

"Woodstock City Council has directed staff to look into the safety in all school zones in the Friendly City. We are anticipating a report in the near future and today we were able to tour this neighbourhood with some of the concerns that have been raised by this group."