Safe Routes to Schools
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an approach that promotes walking and bicycling to school. Nationally, 10%–14% of car trips during morning rush hour are for school travel. SRTS initiatives attempt to improve safety and levels of physical activity for students. SRTS activities can be an opportunity to try taking more trips on foot or by bicycle. Choosing an active transportation mode can provide community benefits, health benefits, environmental benefits, improved test scores, and decreased traffic (source: U.S. Department of Transportation).
Safety Tips
Drop Off and Pick Up Reminders
We need your help to address challenges with traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up of students. In order to provide a safe system and avoid traffic citations, please adhere to the following guidance.
- Do not double park your car when dropping off or picking up your children: Please do not allow your children to enter or exit your vehicle while in a traffic lane. When dropping off or picking up your child, always pull to the curb in a legally marked parking space.
- Do not park in areas that are marked with red curbs or in areas designated for school bus zones: These areas are not intended for personal vehicles. Red curbs are designated as “no parking” zones to ensure that traffic moves smoothly and that drivers do not have their visibility impeded by illegally parked vehicles. Bus zones are designed so that school buses have a safe spot to stop and to allow children access to the bus.
- Watch for “no stopping” zones: The City of Lawndale’s Parking Enforcement officers are closely monitoring “no stopping” zones around our campuses. During the posted hours, the City of Lawndale asks that you not pause in your vehicle in these areas, even if you are waiting for an opening to turn into a designated drop-off area. If there is no direct access into a “drop-off” zone due to other vehicles ahead of your vehicle, you must continue forward on the street so as not to impede traffic behind you. Failure to do so may result in a citation being mailed to you by the City of Lawndale’s Parking Enforcement.
- Plan your route to school: Consider walking with your children to school whenever possible to help ease congestion, or dropping off your children earlier so that they can eat breakfast. The school drop-off window is 8:00 to 8:30.
If there are continuing concerns about the existing traffic signage or the City of Lawndale’s Parking Enforcement policies and procedures, we recommend that you reach out to the City’s Municipal Services Department at 310-973-3220. For the FDR/Carson neighborhood, please contact the California Highway Patrol at (424) 551-4000.
Street Crossings and Guards
Crossing guards are provided by the City of Lawndale. We encourage parents/guardians to review which crossings to use and spend time teaching street safety rules with their children. The maps (linked left) show possible routes to school with street crossings marked for each school.
Update: On July 18, 2022, the City Council revised the crossing guard program, reducing two crossing guard locations (Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Prairie Avenue; and Freeman Avenue and Marine Avenue). If you have any questions about the City of Lawndale's crossing guard program, please contact the City of Lawndale at (310) 973-3272.
Remember to be SMART when you're riding a Bike:
Snap on your helmet
Make sure to look both ways
Always follow the Rules of the Road
Remember to brake at stop lights
Take your time
Suggest Routes to School (SRTS) Maps