BUENA PARK : School Plans Guide To Reduce Accidents

As result of three traffic accidents involving children, parents of students at Carl E. Gilbert Elementary School will receive information in early December on a new program called Suggested Route to School.

The plan was coordinated by city and school officials after the series of accidents over the last 18 months.

The first involved a 3-year-old boy struck by a car and airlifted to a hospital. The boy suffered internal injuries and two broken legs. The next collision involved a suspected drunk driver who struck an 8-year-old girl on the way to school. She suffered a broken leg. In the most recent accident, a 6-year-old boy also suffered a broken leg.

The new program will involve the removal of two school crosswalks on Western Avenue, the installation of one additional school crosswalk at Gramercy and 9th streets, and changes and additions to existing signs and striping.

Principal George B. Cottrell Jr., principal of Gilbert Elementary, said the new crosswalks--with guards--should be in place within the next month. Cottrell also plans to send maps with arrows, and a list of streets with directions to each parent showing the suggested routes to school.

“It only takes 30 seconds longer to use the crosswalk,” he said.

The new program will include classroom instruction by teachers, Police Department programs presented at each grade level, assemblies on safety to include bicycle rules, and communication via newsletter, local papers and possibly cable TV. Teachers will also walk students through safety procedures.

“After the program is in place, we will then be going out into the community occasionally to ensure that students are following the correct routes,” Cottrell said.