City of Santa Clara Announces Safe Routes to School Program at Hughes Elementary School
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – On Monday, April 10, the City of Santa Clara and Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) joined students at Hughes Elementary School to kick off the third phase of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. Safe Routes to School is a nationally recognized program that aims to significantly improve safety for students who walk, bike and roll to school.
Since 2014, the City of Santa Clara SRTS program has taught elementary and middle school students how to navigate roadways and understand traffic rules while raising awareness about the health and environmental benefits of using active modes of transportation to get to school.
“This program is so important for our children since it integrates health, fitness, environmental awareness, and safety under one program” said Mayor Gillmor. “It is an opportunity to work together with schools, parents, and the community to create a healthy lifestyle for youth and a safer, cleaner environment for everyone.”
During the Hughes Elementary School SRTS event, interactive exhibits were set up to demonstrate the types of traffic hazards that children may encounter as they walk and bike to and from school. Students participated in safety training exercises and watched a watermelon drop demonstration on the effectiveness and importance of bicycle helmet use.
This partnership event included representatives from the City of Santa Clara with Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor, Police Chief Pat Nikolai, Fire Chief Ruben Torres, Assistant Director of Public Works Michael Liw, Principal Transportation Planner Carol Shariat, along with SCUSD Superintendent Dr. Gary Waddell, Hughes Elementary School Principal Joe Young, SCUSD Deputy Superintendent of Operations Mark Schiel, SCUSD Director of Facility Development and Planning Michal Healy, and SCUSD Board of Trustees President Vickie Fairchild.
The City has hired Safe Moves to assist with implementing the program through Summer of 2025. This third phase incorporates 17 schools within Santa Clara Unified School District and will include:
- Safe Routes to School Maps
- Safety Education Curriculum
- SRTS Toolkit
- Teacher, Staff & Parent Workshops/Parent Champion Development
- Bicycle & Pedestrian Rodeos
- Walk & Bike to School Days
- Bicycle Trains & Walking School Buses
- Infrastructure Needs Assessment
- Bicycle Helmet and Safety Equipment Giveaways
- Pre & Post Student Transportation Survey
For more information on Santa Clara’s Safe Routes to School programs and services contact Carol Shariat, TE, Principal Transportation Planner, Public Works Department 408-615-3024.
