Stop, look and listen before crossing the street.
That’s the message third, fourth and fifth grade students are trying to tell pedestrians in their neighborhoods.
P.S. 304 in Throggs Neck recently joined schools from each of New York City’s five boroughs to participate in a traffic-safety program created by the City Department of Transportation and the Groundswell Community Mural Project.
During a 10-session program, students learned about pedestrian safety and surveyed the streets and intersections by their schools to study local traffic conditions.
Students worked with teaching artists to come up with various color schemes and symbols, and also visited the DOT sign shop to see how traffic signs are made.
After working with artists, each group then designed an original, one-of-a-kind traffic safety sign that addressed student safety concerns.
The signs feature messages like “Stop and Look” and “Beware/Cuidado” and have been installed on streets by each of the schools participating.
P.S. 304 students chose the logo “safer streets for a safer world” and unveiled their sign to the neighborhood on Tuesday, June 19.
The school placed two signs made by DOT on the building at the entrance and also along the curb in front of the school.
According to the DOT, students hope their signs will increase awareness and encourage safe choices when it comes to street safety, and also prevent injuries and save lives.
“Safety is the most important goal of any transportation network, and innovative programs that teach street-smart practices to children are a significant down payment toward preparing and protecting the next generation of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists,” said DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “These five signs reflect the safety awareness of the students who created them, and they will also prompt the increased awareness of the thousands who will see these signs as they walk, drive or bike down these streets.”
Joseph Nobile, principal at P.S. 304, said the sign created by students pictures four or five students standing on top of a crosswalk super imposed over a picture of the world.
“I love the program,” Nobile said. “The way they incorporated the students’ ideas and creativity, I think it’s great students had opportunity to speak in a different way using a sign.
It all came from their imaginations and what they were concerned about it.”
Kirsten Sanchez can be reach via e-mail at ksanchez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394
