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Kindergarten Parent Says 25 Minute Walk to School is Too DangerousBut school officials insist route is safeRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - Walking to and from school is part of growing up for some kids, but one Anchorage mom said the risks are too high to allow her 5-year-old son – Ricky – to walk by himself. "I actually have the paperwork where there are 59 sex offenders between the school, and our house, and De Armoun and O’Malley,” said LauraAnn Van Tassel, whose son goes to Rabbit Creek Elementary. LauraAnn Van Tassel is also worried about the bridge that her son uses to cross over the Seward Highway. She said it’s old and dangerous. “I'm afraid in the winter time if it were to rain and freeze over... if he was to slip and fall and hit his head,” said LauraAnn Van Tassel. In Anchorage, buses are provided for students who live at least 1.5 miles from their neighborhood school or for those who must cross an unsafe roadway, designated as “hazardous” by the Anchorage School District. Ricky Van Tassel, a kindergartener, doesn't qualify to take the school bus from Rabbit Creek Elementary because the family lives within 1.5 miles of the school. “The neighborhood for Rabbit Creek Elementary that's designated walking, that's on the west side of the New Seward Highway, is a very pleasant neighborhood. It has very wide streets and it's well lit,” said Marty Elkins, Director of Transportation Services for the district. Elkins, and other officials have walked the paths and streets Ricky takes. “Three of us recently reviewed the area and found it to be one of the nicest walking areas in the city.” But Van Tassel said too much can go wrong during the 25-minute journey. “If we were to run into moose or bear we wouldn't be able to get out of this area. We are pretty much trapped,” said Van Tassel, pointing to a fence that separates the path from the Seward Highway. Van Tassel is waiting to hear from the school district as to whether Ricky can catch a bus from the Old Seward Highway. "And if they think it's treacherous for him to be on the side of the highway there's Dare [Ave] where they could stop right before the apartment or Hamilton [Drive] where they could also make a stop,” Elkins said. Van Tassel's concerns about Ricky’s route to school are being considered by the Anchorage School District's Hazardous Transportation Committee -- which does not take into account animal threats or criminal activity. The ASD said parents who have those concerns are advised to organize walking groups and take turns walking kids to school. |
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MIC said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 3:49 PM
If she feels it is so unsafe for her child to walk alone, then why doesn't she walk with him, or organize a group walk with other children in the area? She could also choose to drive him to school.
101090056cooljulie said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 4:09 PM
As soon as she mentioned moose and bear I started laughing. You're in ALASKA lady! They can be in your front yard when he walks out the door. As far as icy sidewalks, that's another hazard of living in Alaska. As far as sex offenders, which would be my big issue, is he not going to be in a group of kids? My main thought is- if she's considering letting a 5 year old walk that far alone every day, she's not a very bright parent to begin with.
101093915Anonymous said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 4:32 PM
She can always walk him to school herself. My child has to walk to school to but she walks with a friend and has a cell phone for emergencies. It is icy when my kid has to walk to as well as moose. Bears will be hybernating so that is not really a threat in the winter
101097036Steel said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 4:40 PM
I really feel sorry for that child, not that he has to walk but that he has her as a mother. If she's so concerned about his safety why doesn't she walk with him to school. Or better yet put him up for adoption do that he can get into a family that will allow him to grow up to be a man and not a baby.
101098346ak girl said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 5:08 PM
I think its sad the school cant be more accomidating, the kid is five!...some of you people leaving comments must of had terrible parents...anyway maybe the mother has a tough job scheduls, times are tough these days
101103076mobopolo said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 5:18 PM
How many adults would give up the comforts of their car to walk to their job? When's the last time any of you walked anywhere for 25 min. in Anchorage in the rain and wind? Would you walk in the dark winter for 2 miles? I think maybe 12 and older would be fine, but 5...No Way! What's worse, is any creepy person reading this, may use it. It's just what they look for. Protect your child, and don't let anyone make you feel bad for doing it!!
101103856RB said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 5:29 PM
Wow....some of these comments are so brutal. People just cannot find it possible to be decent to one another any more.
101105966BK said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 6:28 PM
If a parent is concerned for the safety of their children, they should take personal responsibility for them.
101114216Sue said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 6:41 PM
I walked my child to and from school when we lived in Anchorage. We were transfered to another state and you do not get bus service with in 2 miles of school and you have to pay for it if you live less then 3 miles away. Be grateful for the blessings of living in Alaska.
101117051Dehlia said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 7:11 PM
There is ZERO chance that I would let my five-yr old be ANYWHERE alone for 25 minutes.
101119815MLP said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 7:53 PM
What a bunch of mean comments. Your judging her and you don't even know her. Shame on you!! She feels strongly about this and she does have valid reasons.
101125056cooljulie said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 8:17 PM
Ok, I just watched the video. I would say by her comments she is showing her ignorance. Does she seriously think that kid is going to fall through the chain link fence on the bridge??? A bridge which appears in no way dangerous? Here's an idea- teach him not to push on the sides of the bridge regardless! There's registered sex offenders all over Anchorage. They include business owners, taxi drivers, wait staff, cashiers, you name it. You can't put kids in a bubble. Be a responsible parent and don't ask the school to do everything for you. It's YOUR child. YOU need to either walk with him or find someone to do so. How did kids make it 100 years ago walking several miles to one room schoolhouses on dirt roads that had no streetlights? And then being responsible for the wood for the stove that heated the schoolhouse, and hauling water, etc? People need to get a grip on reality!
101129406Penny Rohacek said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 8:28 PM
1.5 miles, that's nothing! The closest school bus stop to my grandchildren's house is 3.5 miles! 2.5 miles is thru the Bicentennial Park. The School District says it is too dangerous to have a school bus come to their neighborhood, but they do send a school bus to pick up disabled students, which has to pass by my grandchildren's house. Go figure.
101129936wth said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 9:16 PM
who the hell puts their 5 year old kid out to walk in the cold and dark of alaskan winters????
101135336Fellow Parent said on Thursday, Sep 6 at 9:22 AM
Wow!! After reading all of the comments, and watching the video, I have to say that most of the people commenting are way over thinking and being just plain rude. There are anti-bullying campaigns in schools now days...maybe some of you should attend! Here's what I understood... The mom is concerned about the "safe" walking route and would like it to be addressed or bus service put in place. I would not like for myself or my child, regardless of age, to walk on the path leading to that bridge. It is completely fenced on both sides! We all know how dangerous moose are. Even if an adult or older child is present, there is not really anywhere to go. A 25 minute walk in the winter is crazy for up here! So, why does the school district say that it's "safe" to do so? For a 5 year old, 10 year old?? Good for her for standing up for the safety and well being of her child.
101208035Laura-mom said on Thursday, Sep 6 at 2:53 PM
I do walk him to school or drive him. He Does NOT walk alone!!!! I'm just speaking out for the mom's and other people in the neighborhood. There is a bus stop 3 MIN. from the house that ASD transportation department will not allow him on. I was born and raised in Alaska, so I know there are moose and bears everywhere. In the area they call a safe rout for us there are fences on both sides, so if we were to run into, most likely, a moose, we will be trapped. If there is room on the bus, and I pay my taxes, why couldn't my son or anyone of the other children in the neighborhood ride that bus? I don't think ASD Transportation should be able to discriminate against who is allowed to ride the bus.
101232176KJF said on Saturday, Sep 8 at 3:46 PM
If the mother is concerned about the walk for her child other options are always available such as walking with him to school on days with nice weather, forming a walking group or even carpooling with other families in the area. It is the parents responsibility to make certain that their child is safe to and from school when they zoned to walk, it is the schools responsibility once the child is in their care. It appears that this parent is just trying to avoid taking on that responsibility.
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