WHAT DOES A PTA TRAFFIC SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE DO, ANYWAY?

5/30/00

Each PTA traffic safety representative defines the job differently. Some "reps" choose this job because of concerns about a particular "accident waiting to happen," others because of a desire to promote alternative commute choices to the automobile, and still others because of a commitment to improving traffic safety education in the PAUSD. Some reps work alone, others recruit a school-level committee, and some are active on the district or city level. Time commitment varies from minimal to 10+ hours a month, but anyone willing to contribute at least 10-15 hours as needed over a school year should find that they can indeed make a difference.

Some common elements of a PTA traffic safety representative's job:

1. Serve as site point person on traffic safety issues, reducing congestion and education

· Work with principal, PTA and/or staff to resolve any site-level concerns (e.g., safe access to and circulation near the school; reducing car/bike or car/pedestrian conflicts) and to promote alternative commute choices (including carpooling).

· Help promote traffic safety education for students and parents (see "Traffic Safety Education in the PAUSD" grade-level specifics; this may also include helping to educate parents via the PTA newsletter, school handbook or letters home about expected behavior in drop-off areas, how to fit bicycle helmets etc.

· Help recruit other volunteers as needed (e.g. task force on a particular congestion problem, coordinator and volunteers for the 3rd grade bike program, parent liaison to the safety patrol, loading zone/parking lot monitor, or volunteers for the registration day safe biking promotion at middle schools)

2. Serve as the school's representative on the PTA Council Traffic Safety Committee

This group of 16 school representatives meets as needed to brainstorm about common problems, support each other's efforts, and decide on group action. Also, new representatives are oriented about ongoing PTA initiatives or district level task forces. Typically, meetings are early in the school year and at the spring PTA leadership training, plus one meeting in the winter to facilitate particular initiatives.

3. Represent school or PTA concerns as needed to the City/School Traffic Safety Committee or other school district and governmental bodies

· The CSTSC is an official seven member advisory committee to both the city and the school district. The committee usually meets monthly from Sept. through June (typically 4th Thursdays, 10-12 am, 25 Churchill). Three PTA school representatives volunteer to serve on the committee, along with one representative each from the city’s Transportation Division, the Palo Alto Police Department, the PAUSD administration and the principals.

· All PTA reps get CSTSC agendas and should try to attend or designate an alternate when issues related to their school come up. Reps wishing to place an issue on the agenda should contact Gayle Likens in the City’s Transportation Division (329-2136) or Augie Lavagnino in the district business office (329-3800) a week ahead, and also contact the chair of the PTA Council traffic safety committee.

· In 2000-01, PTA reps will continue to work toward safer school commutes both at their schools and district wide. Encouraging the city and the district to support traffic calming and reduced congestion near schools and on major school commute routes will be a high priority, as will improving pedestrian safety education and transit options for secondary schools.