I always loved the first day of school: learning a new schedule, buying new pens and fighting with my dad about getting new binders. When my family immigrated to New York, they started a small school, so living for the first day of classes is almost genetic. Even though I’m not a student anymore, as a Schools Planner for Open Plans, this excitement has only grown, because school streets make the first day of classes even more exciting: making it safer for caretakers to drop off their kids, opportunities to meet teachers and other caretakers outside of the school, providing space to run around and play, and empowering students with the responsibility to walk down the block.
Two concerned dads from PS 118 reached out to me last spring because of traffic incidents outside of their school, on the notoriously busy 7th Street in South Slope. After meeting with the parents and school administration, together we applied for a school street, all with the support and encouragement of the local Council and Assembly Members, neighbors, and local businesses throughout the block. Today was the first day of PS 118’s school street in action, and I couldn’t be prouder to watch kids run down the street, screaming and playing, as they should.
-- Sabina |
