Back to School Health and Safety Tips

Students will be heading back to school soon. August 11 is the first day of school for Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) schools. The following advice can help assure a safe, healthy school year.

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Alameda Police Department Lieutenant Brian Foster offers the following advice for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Drivers:

• Avoid distractions in school zones to maximize focus on driving—turn down music, shut down screen on hands free phone, etc.
• Anticipate high pedestrian and bicycle traffic in school areas.
• Understand and anticipate that pedestrians and bicyclists may move quickly and in unexpected ways in school areas.
• Drive defensively and slow down to give yourself more time to react to the increased pedestrian and cyclist density.
• Use turn signals early to warn cyclists that you are merging into a bike lane to make a right turn.

Pedestrians and cyclists:

• Avoid distractions when walking or cycling near a roadway—remove headphones, don’t look down at your phone while walking and riding.
• Only cross at designated crosswalks, and utilize the bike lane/cycling infrastructure whenever possible.
• Make eye contact with drivers, or exchange a friendly wave, before crossing a street to ensure the driver sees you and will be stopping before you cross the road.
• Use crossing guard controlled intersections/crossings whenever possible.
• Cyclists, keep a close eye on turn signals to anticipate when a vehicle may be merging into the bicycle lane to make a right turn.

Help reduce traffic at and around schools by taking the bus to school.

AC Transit offers free bus passes for students in grades 6-12 at non-private schools whose families meet Alameda County’s free or reduced-priced meal income eligibility guidelines ^[3]. Students can apply for a Student Transit Pass using their school’s application on the Apply for a Pass ^[4] web page. Passes can take up to six weeks to arrive, so apply early (now!) and reach out to your site administrator ^[5] with questions. A parent or guardian will need to sign the application.

The Student Transit Pass is totally free for qualifying students, but there is a $3 replacement fee for a lost card. You only need to apply once because the pass remains valid as long as a student is enrolled in a participating Alameda County middle or high school.

Vaccinations also help keep students and their families safe and healthy.

Local pediatrician Anne Parker, MD, says, “I think it is important that people understand that, despite what is happening in Washington, D.C., there is currently no change in the vaccine requirements for attending daycare and school in California. California has very strict laws. In our practice, we stand by the importance and safety of the vaccines that we provide. Vaccines are currently one of the best ways we know to prevent serious illness in our children.”

Pediatrician Elisa Nicholas, MD, MSPH, FAAP, adds: “Routine vaccinations keep kids healthy and able to attend school, and improves their overall health. Vaccines not only help prevent or lessen the severity of serious and deadly disease for individual children, but also decreases spread to other children and adults.

“The best place to get immunizations is at your child’s doctor’s office, where they keep their immunization history. Your doctor is also happy to answer any questions you may have. If you don’t have a regular doctor, local pharmacies or health departments can provide immunizations as well. Protect your child, protect others!”

Alameda Food Bank (AFB) needs your help.

Federal budget cuts are impacting the Alameda Food Bank, where a federally funded United Way grant, intended for the purchase of food, was recently canceled. This means less food for AFB to distribute at a time when more Alameda residents are facing economic uncertainty as a result of federal cuts and may need assistance from the food bank.

Here’s how you can help AFB:

Please make a financial donation to AFB, if you can, and ask your employer to make a matching grant. The food bank also needs volunteers. To donate and/or volunteer, or if you need assistance feeding yourself or your family, visit alamedafoodbank.org ^[6].

Your city needs you: Volunteer on a City Board or Commission:

There are currently openings on the City’s Social Services Human Relations Board, Commission on Persons With Disabilities, Golf Commission, and Public Art Commission. Visit the City of Alameda ^[7] website to learn more about these and other City boards and commissions, review agendas, watch videos of past meetings, and submit an application online.

Be alert as you drive/walk/cycle! Stay safe and healthy! Support the Alameda Food Bank! Serve on a City Board or Commission!

Be Alameda Strong!

Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the Mayor of the City of Alameda. Reach her at [email protected] ^[8].