NEWS HOME

School District News
Student injury finally prompts action on a flashing light at Sunset High crosswalk

Parents and community members have been asking for a flashing-light signal (*RRFB) for the crosswalk in front of Sunset High on Cornell for some time. Last week, a student was injured there by a passing car that failed to stop for her. The good news is that she will recover. The better news is that it looks like something will finally be done!

The county added a streetlight, but most feel that's not enough

Last spring, a small group of community members took a walk from the Oak Hills shopping center to Sunset High along Cornell. The purpose was to point out the lack of pedestrian and bicycle safety features in that area. Shelly Oylear, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for Washington County, and John Huelskamp, Prinicipal of Sunset High, were part of the group. Oylear worked with the county’s maintenance department to include wider bike lanes and improved marking in this summer’s paving project. An additional street light was also installed. That’s an improvement, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the recent accident.

While Washington County has been willing to allow the signal, they weren’t prepared to pay for it. Beaverton School District (BSD) had also declined to invest. Parents were contemplating a fundraising campaign! Now perhaps a solution is in sight.

Andrew Singelakis, Director of Land Use and Transportation for the county, says today (Sep. 6, 2018) that the county is now willing to come up with half the cost. Talks are underway with BSD to secure the rest of the funds. According to the county, the cost would be somewhere between $30,000-$40,000, and it’s likely that the project would be managed by Washington County.

Responding to a message from our County Commissioner Greg Malinowski, Principal Huelskamp said, “I met with our student last night. Her head shattered the windshield of the car that hit her. I can't think of a better or more urgent use of our money.” He had written a letter to Washington County back in March 2018 that noted, “Each day, literally hundreds of students and community members utilize the crosswalk to go back and forth to access the LDS Seminary, Sunset Athletic Club, and parking for a wide variety of events. Each day I also cringe at the thought of a student or community member being injured or killed as they cross this very busy section of Cornell.”

Carl Mead, Deputy Superintendent for Operations and Support Services for BSD said in an email, “Several meetings are taking place to move this project forward. The county is able to support approximately half of the cost. John Huelskamp and I are committed to moving this forward in a timely manner.”

Chuck Richards, owner of Sunset Athletic Club, has indicated that he is willing to help financially. He says, “The safety of the community is the important thing. Some of the students are crossing to use the SAC facilities, but many more are heading to Safeway, the LDS Seminary, and to their homes nearby.” Richards said that Huelskamp is asking others in the community to pledge support as a backup plan in case BSD can’t match the county funding.

Malinowski says, “Everyone seems committed to getting this done as soon as possible.”

*According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were a total of 14,340 pedestrian fatalities and 193,000 pedestrian injuries resulting from pedestrian vehicle crashes nationwide during the 2004-2006 period. Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB) can enhance safety by reducing crashes between vehicles and pedestrians at unsignalized intersections and mid-block pedestrian crossings by increasing driver awareness of potential pedestrian conflicts.

A 2008 study found that going from a no-beacon arrangement to a two-beacon system, mounted on the supplementary warning sign on the right side of the crossing, increased yielding from 18 percent to 81 percent.

West Tualatin View Elementary is now an IB World School

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) has authorized West Tualatin View Elementary School as an IB World School for the Primary Years Programme (PYP).

The authorization process typically takes two to three years. As a result of this process, parents and students can be confident that each IB World School, no matter where it is located, has:

• Commitment to the IB philosophy with a focus on international-mindedness.
• A rigorous, comprehensive curriculum encouraging student curiosity and inquiry.
• Teachers, leaders, and staff trained in the IB programme and philosophy.
• School leadership and administrative structures that serve its mission and support the IB programme.
• A comprehensive plan for implementation and sustainability of the IB programme.

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children aged 3-12 nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. Through its inquiry-led, transdisciplinary framework, the PYP challenges students to think for themselves and take responsibility for their learning as they explore local and global issues and opportunities in real-life contexts.

IB provides a wide range of high-quality professional development opportunities for school leaders and teachers to understand, support and successfully deliver IB programmes. For more information, please contact Kalay McNamee at 503-356-2510.

Previous article

NEWS HOME