To our families and community,
I'm reaching out to you because I'm very concerned about the safety of our students as they walk to and from school, or the bus stop every day.
In the past week alone in the Davenport area, we've had two high school students injured by vehicles. And recently in Lake Wales, another student lost his life when he was struck by a vehicle near his bus stop.
It's critically important that we all work together to help keep our students safe.
Polk County Public Schools works with law enforcement and local government authorities to support our student pedestrians. This is done through a combination of increased traffic enforcement, crossing guards (where approved), installing additional safety features such as street lighting, speed /traffic signage, and traffic devices (flashers) to alert drivers of the presence of children during school arrival and dismissal periods.
However, it's imperative that all Polk County residents and students do their part to help promote safety.
For motorists, please take extreme caution near schools — drive slowly, be aware of your surroundings, and stay focused on the road. Treat our campuses like you would your own neighborhood, knowing that a child could appear out of nowhere.
For students, we ask that you obey all traffic laws; use crosswalks and stay out of the street. Be mindful of the cars traveling around you, and stay off your phones or other electronic devices while walking to school.
Parents can also consider adding reflective material to their child's backpack and other personal items. Please also refrain from dropping students off across the street from campus. This can create a situation where a student then goes outside of a crosswalk, and could be struck by oncoming traffic.
It's a fact that Polk County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the entire nation. There are more vehicles on the road — and students in our schools — than ever before. This alone increases the likelihood of a pedestrian accident.
Many accidents are easily preventable if we all just take extra care. Together we can each follow the steps outlined to help ensure that every child makes it to and from school safely each day. Please help us protect our students so they can have the future they deserve.
Thank you,
Fred Heid
Superintendent of Polk County Public Schools