Full Notification

Today is the first day of school for Emery Unified School District students at the new Emeryville Center of Community Life. Construction is still continuing as the final touches are applied. Be aware that construction equipment is located on streets around the school so be careful when passing or driving around the equipment. Remember that K-8 students drop off and pick up area is along the south curb of 53rd St (just past the athletic field). High School students drop off and pick up area is along the north curb of 47th St by the High School entrance.

When walking to school remember to use the crosswalks and obey the Crossing Guards!

Below are some helpful reminders about driving safely around our young students from the National Safety Council:


If You're Dropping Off

Schools often have very specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know them for the safety of all kids. More children are hit by cars near schools than at any other location, according to the National Safe Routes to School program. The following apply to all school zones:

-Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
-Don't load or unload children across the street from the school
-Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they're walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:

-Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
-In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
-Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
-Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
-Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
-Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
-Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.

-When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
-When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
-If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
-Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
-Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
-Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
-Check side mirrors before opening your door

from:http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/back-to-school-safety-tips-for-drivers.aspx