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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susanna Minegishi
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Karen Gavender
McFadden/Gavender
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First Ever Charter School in Arizona Accepted to ADOT Safe Routes to School Program
La Paloma Academy Lakeside Campus secures funding for vital traffic signal
Tucson, AZ (5/20/09) - Every day when a child walks or bikes to school, his or her safety is at risk. La Paloma Academy recognized the need to make access to its Lakeside campus safer. With the help of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the campus is now the first ever charter school accepted into the Safe Routes to School Program.
The ADOT Safe Routes to School Program will reimburse La Paloma Academy Lakeside Campus up to $201,070 for the design and installation of a vital traffic signal - an enhanced pedestrian crossing HAWK signal - directly across from its campus at Golf Links and Lakeside Parkway.
La Paloma Academy administration took a proactive stance and applied for this program in fall 2008. They knew this addition to campus was much needed, and utilized all means to make it happen. ADOT announced La Paloma Academy's acceptance into the program in late April 2009. They are confident this project will be completed in one year.
Both Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup and Interim Tucson Deputy Police Chief Kermit Miller were in support of this project and authored recommendation letters to the Arizona Department of Transportation on La Paloma Academy's behalf. In addition, area schools endorsed La Paloma Academy's mission in the Safe Routes to School program including Santa Rita High School, Compass High School, and Pima Community College, among others.
"Getting endorsed by a program of this nature wouldn't have been possible for La Paloma Academy without the support of Mayor Walkup and Chief Miller. This is a groundbreaking experience for a charter school in the state of Arizona and we can't wait to share this amazing addition to campus with the entire La Paloma Academy family," said Raena Janes, La Paloma Academy Founder and Director.
Over one-third of the 650 students at La Paloma Academy Lakeside walk or bike to school each day, making the highly travelled six-lane intersection at Golf Links and Lakeside Parkway a prime spot for student crossing.
According to SafeRoutesToSchool.org, HAWK (high-intensity activated crosswalk) signals were developed by the City of Tucson as a way to amplify pedestrian safety at school crossing locations. The HAWK uses traditional traffic and pedestrian signal heads, but in a different configuration. It includes a sign instructing motorists to "stop on red" and a "pedestrians" overhead sign. There is also a sign informing pedestrians how to cross the street safely.
The HAWK signal is activated by a pedestrian push button. The overhead signal begins flashing yellow and then solid yellow, advising drivers to prepare to stop. The signal then displays a solid red and shows the pedestrian a "Walk" indication. Finally, an alternating flashing red signal indicates that motorists may proceed when safe, after coming to a full stop. The pedestrian is shown a flashing "Don't Walk" with a countdown indicating the time left to cross.
La Paloma Academy continues to secure the safety of its entire student body. For more information, please visit www.lpatucson.org.
The future site of LPA's HAWK Signal.
Sample photo of a HAWK Signal.
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