<p>Dear Panther families,</p><p>Each year some of our families choose to allow their children to walk to and from school each day. With the sidewalks along James Burgess Road, we are happy that our students are taking advantage of an opportunity to go green. If you would like for your child to have the option of walking home from Riverwatch each day, this message is for you!</p><p>Your child’s safety is our top priority. With this in mind, there are a few safety rules that need to be followed in order to keep our student walkers safe. It is important that parents always know the route the child will be walking and the times of the day, and that parents establish rules regarding expectations. Please be certain to review these rules with your child often:</p><p> Be careful at intersections; watch for drivers that may fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.</p><p> Increase your visibility when it is dark by carrying a flashlight and wearing reflective clothing.</p><p> Only cross the street at designated crosswalks.</p><p> Walk on the sidewalks.</p><p> Always have a walking buddy.</p><p> Review safety rules about talking to people the child does not know.</p><p>For more information about walking to school, the websites reference in the information listed are: http://www.theparentreport.com/resources/ages/early_school/safety/325.html and http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/Pedestrian_Safety/factsheet.html. Students who plan to walk home from school are required to have parent permission on file. We request that students not ride bicycles to school. Please keep in mind that students are held accountable for the Code of Conduct both to and from school. </p><p>Our procedure for school walkers is as follows: Students may enter via the gym entrance. Students use the bus entry at James Burgess Rd. Walking along the front entrance is not allowed due to limited visibility. At dismissal, student walkers will be directed to the gym. A staff member will verify that the student’s permission form is on file prior to releasing student walkers. Once buses have departed the lot, student walkers are released from the gym. The required permission slip is available on the school website. If you would like for your child to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to walk home, please complete the permission slip and return it to the front office as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance in assuring the safety of all our students. Sincerely, Pam Bibik</p><p>Permission for Student to Walk Home</p><p>I understand that by completing this permission slip that my student is allowed to walk to and from Riverwatch Middle School. I have reviewed the letter and the safety rules with my student. </p><p>Student's name:______Grade: ______</p><p>Address: ______Subdivision: ______</p><p>Days of the week he/she will walk:______</p><p>Please indicate all acceptable destinations:</p><p>_____Home</p><p>_____Grandparent's home</p><p>_____Baby sitter/child care provider</p><p>_____Other (please specify):______</p><p>In case of severe weather, please indicate how your child will get home: ______</p><p>Parent/guardian name:______</p><p>Parent/guardian signature:______Home phone______</p><p>Cell phone______</p>