Some folks enjoy summer, others prefer a snowy winter; but there’s complete consensus on at least one weather condition: valley inversions.
Inversions are an unpleasant reality everyone, especially young children, senior citizens and those with respiratory conditions. Although the issue occurs on a broad scale, there are simple ways you can help reduce smoggy air near schools:
1. Turn off your vehicle
A simple rule to follow is if you’ll be waiting in your car for more than 10 seconds turn off the engine. Idling does not save fuel. Restarting a car takes as much fuel as it would idling for 10 seconds. Additionally, vehicle engines warm quicker when the car is driven, not while it’s idling. Sitting in a line of idling vehicles means you’re breathing exhaust fumes that leak into the car cabin.
2. Carpool or take the bus
Carpooling in general reduces traffic congestion, and can save you time and money. With so many students needing to get to and from the same destination, why not minimize the number of trips?
If carpooling is not a feasible option, consider having your student take the bus. Check with your school for bus schedules that accommodate your family’s needs.
3. Walk
Every elementary and junior high school in the district has established safe walking routes for students in nearby neighborhoods. Organizing a ‘walk to school’ group with other families can lead to new friends, an increased sense of community, and the exercise will help students prepare their minds for learning.
Jay Griffin says
Bicycling is not an option too? Probably not since at least one school doesn’t provide a bike rack to lock up a bike. On Tues Dec 8, 2015 I rode my bike to a Skyline High School swim meet. There used to be a bike rack near the pool building entrance, but it is no longer there.
Churchill Jr High does not provide school buses for it’s students. Have you seen how many cars are lined up there every day, morning and afternoon?
So keeping clean air is a great idea but often hard to implement in real life.
Granite Schools says
Biking is a great option! We apologize that wasn’t included in the article. There are certainly challenges when it comes to clearing the air, and obviously the burden doesn’t rest solely on parents taking student to and from school. The overall intent of the message was to have parents, employees and students evaluate their habits and determine if changes can be made to help minimize air pollution. Thanks for your comment!