Q: How does the CBE determine the walk zones for each school?
A: The Manager of Transportation, on the advice of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) designs new walk zones by taking into consideration, where necessary, the following criteria:
- Community boundaries
- Natural hazards or barriers
- Roadways or infrastructure
- Grade levels in the school
Q: Our home is not in the walk zone. Will my child be able to attend the new school in our community?
A: If you reside within the attendance area for the school and your community is designated to that school, you are eligible to attend the new school.
Walk zones are used for transportation eligibility purposes and are also utilized if a lottery situation arises at a school. New school attendance area maps are available on the project web page Building & Modernizing Schools.
Transportation
Q: Our home is in the walk zone and we feel the distance is too far for our child to walk. Will my child still be eligible for yellow school bus transportation?
A: Students are eligible for transportation to their designated school if they live beyond the walk zone. If there is bus service to the school, you can apply for your child to be a conditional rider. These application forms are available on the CBE website. You will be informed of a decision by mid-to-late October at the latest. Until you receive notification that your child is accepted to take the bus as a conditional rider, you will be responsible for getting your child to and from school.
Information regarding transportation services and fees is available on the CBE website and at the schools.
Calgary Transit
Q: I would like my child to take Calgary Transit instead of a yellow school bus. Will Calgary Transit place a bus route closer to our residence with frequent times to accommodate families?
A: Calgary Transit has their own process for creating routes. The CBE does not direct this work. The public is always welcome to use Calgary Transit as their method of transportation. More information regarding Calgary Transit may be accessed at www.calgarytransit.com.
Traffic
Q: We are concerned that our child will be crossing busy streets that have no traffic lights or controlled crosswalks. What can the CBE do to address these issues?
A: Parents are responsible for the safety of their children to and from school. This includes street crossings.
If there are specific traffic safety concerns, please email transportation@cbe.ab.ca, and a multi-stakeholder committee, Safe Student Travel Advisory Group (SSTAG) will review the concern. The group offers advice on possible solutions, within the existing limitations of each member's organizational policies and procedures.
Q: Many parents will be driving their children to school as the walk distance is too far. What can be done about traffic around the school?
A: Each school has designated bus zones and parent pick/up drop off zones. Many schools establish school safety patrols in consultation with the Calgary Police Service, the Alberta Motor Association and the school council to assist with the safety of students.
Please speak with your principal if you have a concern about a specific issue.
