Correspondence regarding Crossing Guard Funding (Items b through r)

Correspondence regarding Crossing Guard Funding

Email from Christina Godfrey

From: Christina Godfrey
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2023 4:08 PM
To: Alison MacKenzie amackenzie@viewroyal.ca
Subject: Cross walk

Hello, This is my first time ever writing an email to a Councillor and I am writing because it is crucial that funding of crossing guards continues for Eagle View school SD61. I have lived up the street from the crosswalk at the cross section of West Burnside and Watkiss for 12 years, 8 of those years I did not drive and crossed here on a constant daily basis. I cant even count the number or times I have almost been hit by a turning car. I have witnessed a man on a bike being hit by a turning car and taken to ER. I have witnessed numerous bikes, crossing guards and pedestrians almost getting hit here. Having lights put in at this intersection has made no difference. It’s a confusing corner because of the bike light that turns on. It’s a very busy intersection with the Galloping goose running through and people hurrying, driving through to get to work. I would never let my child cross at this intersection if there wasn’t a crossing guard present. I can’t stress the importance of the continuation of crossing guards here

Christina Godfrey
Eagle View Parent
View Royal Resident

Sent from my iPhone

---

Email from Meredith Walker

From: Meredith Walker
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2023 9:59:38 AM
To: Sid Tobias mayortobias@viewroyal.ca; Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca; Gery Lemon GLemon@viewroyal.ca; Damian Kowalewich DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca; Alison MacKenzie amackenzie@viewroyal.ca; Ron Mattson RMattson@viewroyal.ca; John Rogers JRogers@viewroyal.ca
Subject: Crossing Gaurds

Good Morning Mayor Tobias View Royal Council,

As you are all aware, we have a very concerning issue on our hands with regards to the crossing guard funding after the 2022/2023 school year. As a parent in View Royal, we rely on the crossing guards heavily. Not only do they help our kids cross the street safely, but they are also our eyes and ears when we can’t be there. Their presence is a reminder to cars that there is a school zone, and they need to slow down. If there are any dangerous adults in the area, they are less likely to harass students knowing there is an adult checkpoint on the route to school. My oldest will be leaving Eagle View Next year and heading to middle school. Knowing the crossing guards are there when she walks to the bus stop is a huge relief. I will still have a younger child at Eagle View as well.

I’m sure you have all heard the request from SD61 School Board Chair Ms. N Duncan for crossing guard funding beyond the 2022/2023 school year. As a parent in the Eagle View community, I write to you in request that you continue the funding needed to protect and keep out kids safe when going to and from school.

In short, my question to you all is will you fully support the partnership with School District 61 and the crossing guard services moving forward?

Thank you for your time,
Meredith Walker (parent to Madison and Piper Walker and Eagle View Elementary School SD 61)

---

Email from Santina Tenerelli

From: Santina Tenerelli
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2023 8:59 PM
To: Sid Tobias mayortobias@viewroyal.ca; Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca; Damian Kowalewich DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca; Gery Lemon GLemon@viewroyal.ca; Alison MacKenzie amackenzie@viewroyal.ca; Ron Mattson RMattson@viewroyal.ca; John Rogers JRogers@viewroyal.ca
Subject: Crossing Guards at View Royal Elementary Schools

Good evening Honourable Mayor Tobias and Council Members,

I am writing to you all today as a member of Eagle View Elementary's Parent Advisory Council (PAC), resident of View Royal, and mother of two young children.

I have recently been informed of ongoing discussion between School District 61 and the Town of View Royal with regards to funding for crossing guards at Eagle View and View Royal Elementary Schools. It is my understanding that the Town of View Royal has been asked to continue their financial support of this vital program.

Crossing guards do much more than simply assist children coming to and from our schools. They provide increased safety for all pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in vulnerable areas during times of increased traffic. They act as deterrents for unthinkable acts, such as child predators, by placing responsible adults in key locations. They also caution drivers by being a visual reminder of speed limits and alerting them to possible hazards.

With the ongoing development of the Handy Dart station at the corner of Watkiss Way and Burnside Road, crossing guards ensure children and families can cross safely, but also provide a second set of eyes to the drivers and workers trying to navigate in and out of the construction zone. This will continue even after construction is complete and buses/vans are continually turning onto already busy roads.

Both Eagle View and View Royal Elementary strongly encourage families to walk and ride bikes to and from school to in order to reduce our environmental impact and help relieve traffic issues on busy roads and overflowing school parking lots. We rely on current safety measures, especially crossing guards, to help with this initiative.

Crossing guards provide safety and assistance to all factions of View Royal's residents, not just school children, and therefor it is essential that continued funding for this program should be considered as part of the View Royal's ongoing community safety measures, beyond the 2022/2023 school year.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I look forward to hearing further discussion on this matter at your next council meeting on January 17th.

Santina Spencer
Eagle View PAC - Executive Member

---

Email from Jocelyn Carter-Sim

From: jocelyn carter-sim
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2023 4:54:54 PM
To: Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca; Damian Kowalewich DKowalewich@viewroyal.ca; Sid Tobias mayortobias@viewroyal.ca; Gery Lemon GLemon@viewroyal.ca; Alison MacKenzie amackenzie@viewroyal.ca; Ron Mattson RMattson@viewroyal.ca; John Rogers JRogers@viewroyal.ca
Subject: re: Funding for crossing guards for view royal elementary schools

To Mayor Tobias and Council Members of the Town of View Royal,

I am writing to you having recently been informed about the concerns regarding the ongoing funding for the View Royal Elementary Schools’ Crossing Guards beyond the 2022/2023 school year. As a parent of a child attending View Royal Elementary School, we rely heavily on the Crossing Guard to ensure my child and other students cross the street safely to school. As Helmcken is a major car traffic corridor and on a significant slope, I see cars frequently above the speed limit passing the school between the periods of 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Having a Crossing Guard before and after school significantly raises the visibility of the crossing and the safety of our children, parents and families and other community members.

As a parent of a child at View Royal Elementary but also the president of the View Royal Parent Advisory Council, I feel emphatically that this is a major safety concern for the students and the community that the Crossing Guards funding is in jeopardy and that it is part of the responsibly of the View Royal Town to continue supporting it and keeping our children safe.

I am sure that you have all heard the request from SD61 School Board Chair Ms. N Duncan for Crossing Guard funding beyond the 2022/2023 school year. As a parent in the View Royal School community, I write to you in request that you continue the funding needed to protect and keep our children safe when going to and from school.