You and your child should become familiar with the route to school by walking or riding it together. Along the way, parents should point out hazards or problem areas.

Older siblings (4th, 5th, & 6th graders) should accompany their younger siblings to and from school. Students should travel in groups and join other students as they progress to and from school. Children in grades K-3 should not be allowed to cross a busy street alone.

Children mature at various rates. Parents should ensure their child is responsible enough to walk or ride to school. Some parents may decide to walk or ride with their child to and from school daily.

Parents Safety Tips on School:

• Don't stop, stand, or park near crosswalks or bus loading zones.
• Watch for children running into the street.
• Know your child's route of travel to and from school.
• Obey school zone speed limit signs. 
• No U-Turns in school zones of crosswalks.
• Use Student Loading Zones to drop off/pick up your child.

Some safety tips to teach your child:

• Don't talk to strangers.
• Don't walk alone; walk with a friend.
• Cross only at cross walks or intersections.
• Use traffic light pedestrian buttons when available.
• Look both ways before crossing.
• Stay on sidewalks or pathways when possible.
• Walk on side of road against traffic if sidewalks do not exist.
• Stop at stop signs.
• When getting out of a vehicle walk in front of the vehicle to cross the street.
• Don't run across streets or in between cars.
• If your children need help, tell them to look for a police car or a City of Richardson marked vehicle. They are radio-equipped and can get help quickly.

When Riding a Bike:

• Learn basic hand signals.
• Obey and know traffic signals and signs.
• Stop at stop signs.
• Lock your bike when not in use.

To find safe routes to school, or to other routes please go to the Safe Routes to School Map page.