City, Police, District Welcome Coronado Students Back to School With Safety Message

CORONADO, CA – With the new school year set to begin Thursday in the Coronado Unified School District, officials with the city of Coronado, the Coronado Police Department and the district are joining together to welcome students back to school — with a focus on safety.

Because students in Coronado bike to school in very high numbers, "it is especially important for drivers to be aware of children on bikes, as well as on foot, and to slow down as students head back to school," officials said in a back-to-school advisory issued Tuesday.

The school year begins with the ongoing construction of the John D. Spreckels Center and Bowling Green at Orange Avenue and Seventh Street. Officials said the contractor has been asked to be aware of students in the area and will set up a dedicated pathway using concrete dividers for pedestrians and bicyclists. However, construction crews use Seventh Street to enter the site so caution is advised. It also is recommended that students walking or bicycling to school take an alternate route, such as Sixth Street or Eighth Street.

Officials also said that in response to concerns about student safety, the city has increased crossing guards at F on Third and Fourth streets. Beginning with the start of the school year, a crossing guard will be present at both Third Street and F Avenue as well as at Fourth Street and F Avenue during both morning and afternoon student crossing times.

The Coronado Police Department is offering an incentive for students to bike to school safely. Officers will be on hand at each school to welcome students with gift certificates for those seen following bike laws, and to relay safety information to parents and students. Information about bike safety, best practices, helmet fit and how to properly lock a bicycle can be found in these online brochures.

"The safety of our school children is a joint effort between parents, community members, the Police Department, schools and students," the advisory concludes. "Students are encouraged to travel to school in a safe manner and have a great school year."

Photo courtesy of city of Coronado