Accident on Walzem road & High school students crossing illegally. (Marshall: school district, mall)

[OzzyRules]

There was a recent story of a high school student who was killed crossing Walzem near the high school there. A followup to the story talked about how MANY students there like to cross the 6 lanes of traffic to eat lunch across the street, I assume at various fast food places.

I wasn't even aware that some schools allowed to students to leave campus for lunch.

Does anyone know if this is generally allowed in public schools?

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

I wasn't even aware that some schools allowed to students to leave campus for lunch.

Does anyone know if this is generally allowed in public schools?

It is usually a thing for juniors and seniors. or at least that's how it was for me in 2003. Depending on the program the student is in, they may not be on campus proper. Independent study, work programs, vocational programs, etc. It's a lot different than it used to be where the only free time students had was the 5/6 minutes to go from class to class. I think the bigger concern is the illegal crossing. It's been fatal and isn't just a student issue. But that's a different thread completely.

[69GSstage1]

Back when I was attending Roosevelt High School in the mid 80' , it was a closed campus. The only students who were allowed off campus were those who were on a work program. I'm guessing by having a closed campus, the administration was trying to curb truancy. Back then Windsor Park Mall was thriving.

[L210]

When I attended MacArthur (same school district) in the early 2000s, it was a closed campus. Only those on work release or in some special program like student teaching could leave.

[ged_782]

I worked in the Wurzbach/I-10 area in the 1980s. Some of the fast food places around there, like Wendy's Sombrero Rosa, and Mr. Gatti's, were popular with the Clark High School crowd around 12:00 noon. A lady who worked in my office had a daughter attending Marshall, and she said the seniors in NISD schools were allowed to leave the campus during the lunch period.

Alamo Heights had an "open" campus during the lunch period in the 1970s, but IIRC, they curtailed it somewhat after that -- had to have written permission from the parent to leave the campus, and freshmen couldn't leave at all. It seemed some merchants around the school were complaining of students loitering during lunch, and some parents were expressing concern that their child could leave campus without supervision. I don't know what the current AHISD policy is.

AHISD and NISD are the only two area districts I am aware of that have or had an open campus policy during the lunch period.

[Merovee]

Schools where more of the students drove cars to school themselves were more likely to institute policies allowing leaving during the lunch period.

[smuboy86]

NEISD I believe has a district wide ban on off campus lunch still. That doesn't mean that students won't sneak off campus to get Lunch.

[pobre]

NEISD does not allow students to leave campus for lunch. The only exception is on exam days, Seniors (with written and verified permission) may leave campus for lunch on the day their lunch period is scheduled for exams. I believe the overall thought is that, even with a 50 minute lunch period, students would be rushing to get back, and could have/cause an accident.

However, I think one of the bigger issues here is students not using the crosswalks. Today, a student from Larkspur was KILLED (yes it was a hit and run driver), and she was not using the crosswalk. You would not BELIEVE how many parents REFUSE to use the crosswalk or wait for the crossing guard, and will walk in front of a BIG YELLOW MOVING BUS. When we ask them to please use the crosswalk, more often than not, we get attitude. Children see this, and they, too, try to run across. Despite the speed limits, school zone signs, and no cell phone use signs, so many drivers are speeding, on their phone, or both.

[Tree Frog]

Originally Posted by pobre

However, I think one of the bigger issues here is students not using the crosswalks. Today, a student from Larkspur was KILLED (yes it was a hit and run driver), and she was not using the crosswalk. You would not BELIEVE how many parents REFUSE to use the crosswalk or wait for the crossing guard, and will walk in front of a BIG YELLOW MOVING BUS. When we ask them to please use the crosswalk, more often than not, we get attitude. Children see this, and they, too, try to run across. Despite the speed limits, school zone signs, and no cell phone use signs, so many drivers are speeding, on their phone, or both.

The new Walmart in Helotes is across from Keuntze Elementary and O'Connor High School. There isn't a crosswalk along that stretch of Leslie and the high school students cross it where ever they can get across to go to WM or Taco Bell. The traffic, especially after school, can be very bad. I am concerned there will be a fatality there, too.

[KM1174]

how many points are juniors and seniors worth?

[Mod cut: off topic]