Town Outlines School Zone Safety Plans for 2021-22 School Year

As the 2021-22 school year starts this week, the Town of Paradise outlined its work to support safety in the school zones which includes crossing guards, traffic calming, and increased traffic patrols in the areas. 

“This is a busy and exciting time of year as students, teachers, administrators, and staff head back to school. We’re happy to have our first intermediate school open, and we extend a special welcome to all those attending Paradise Intermediate School,” said Mayor Dan Bobbett. “School zone safety is up to all of us, and we remind all residents to use extra caution when driving around Town - reduce speeds in school areas, slow down when approaching cross walks, and obey the signals on all school buses.”

In preparation for the start of the school year, staff have visited the school zones for the four elementary schools, Elizabeth Park, Holy Family, Octagon Pond and Paradise Elementary, to ensure that crosswalks and required line painting is completed. The new roundabout and road work being completed by the provincial government for Paradise Intermediate includes crosswalk installation, which is to be finished as part of that work. 

Crossing Guards are returning to the four elementary schools and residents are reminded to follow their instructions and guidance. The Town regularly maintains traffic calming measures in key areas around schools, including two permanent speed display radar signs in each of the four school areas, and these are operational and ready for school opening. For Octagon Pond Elementary, extra signage and mid-lane break away posts have been added to the traffic calming measures at that school. At Town road work sites, including Paradise Road Phase IV, traffic control will give priority to school buses to access through the routes. 

For the first week back to school, Town crews will assist with morning and afternoon traffic control at strategic locations at each school. The Town’s Municipal Enforcement Officers will actively monitor school areas in the morning and afternoons during the opening and dismissal times, issuing tickets for any infractions including parking. The Officers will also be observing for speeding and dangerous driving in these areas and reporting any such incidents to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for ticketing and follow-up. 

“To all our students, teachers, administrators, and staff, we wish you all an enjoyable and productive school year,” said Mayor Bobbett. “We understand that importance of school zone safety, and we all have a role to play to do that. Working together helps create a safe 2021-22 school year for everyone.”