Schools

Martinez Jr. High Kids Get A BMX Demonstration And Learn About Safety

Collaboration with county's 511 program leads to a "win-win" for kids and school, Vice Principal says.

Last week, thanks to the efforts of Martinez Jr. High School Vice Principal Victor James and the Contra Costa County 511 collaboration, there were 260 fewer cars off the road in Martinez.

James said that the week-long series of evening workshops helped convince people to carpool and take pubic transit, thus reducing the number of cars on the road.

The effort also raised $750 for the PTSA to educate parents on transportation safety, offers free bus passes for students, and, to top it all off, the entire student body got a BMX bike demonstration by a group of professional riders.

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James said he recalls raising money as a youngster for the American Heart Association.

“I wanted to give our kids the same kind of experience,” he said.

Find out what's happening in Martinezwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So he collaborated with the county’s 511 program, which teaches kids and adults safe driving and biking habits, encourages carpooling and public transit, walking to school (October is Walk To School Month), and other pollution reducing strategies.

“This was a win-win for the kids and the school,” James said. 


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