City of Hamilton Gears Up for Back-to-School Season

HAMILTON, ON – As the summer winds down, the City of Hamilton is preparing for the upcoming back-to-school season with a focus on ensuring a smooth and safe transition for students, parents, and educators. The City is dedicated to creating a supportive and enriching environment for all as the new school year begins.

The City of Hamilton, in partnership with the Hamilton Police Service, reminds residents to watch for our youngest residents as they travel to and from school. They may not be as aware as more experienced pedestrians and cyclists. The following road safety initiatives and updates are part of our efforts to ensure a safe start to the school year.

“Safety is our first priority. As summer winds down and we begin to see an increase in commuters and classes starting, the City of Hamilton is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students as they head back to school,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “Our collective efforts are designed to create a supportive environment for our young residents. But it will take all of us to keep our students safe, so let's work together to make this school year a successful and safe one for all.”

School Zones

As part of the Vision Zero initiative, the City of Hamilton has reduced speed limits in 212 neighbourhoods across Hamilton to help eliminate serious injury and fatalities. Motorists are reminded that neighbourhood streets are reduced to 40 km/hr, while school zones are reduced to 30 km/hr. 

Parents picking up or dropping off children are urged to follow all posted signage to avoid fines and ensure safety. Most school areas have “No Stopping” and “No Parking” zones that must remain clear for pedestrians and allow school buses and other school vehicles to unload students safely.

School Crossing Guards

School crossing guards are stationed in school zones across the city to help students cross the street safely. Drivers and pedestrians should always follow the directions of crossing guards. By law, motorists must wait for the pedestrians and the crossing guard to reach the other side of the roadway before proceeding.

If a school crossing guard is absent from their usual location, residents should contact 905-546-2489 ext.2200. In the meantime, ask the school principal or teachers for assistance.

The City continues to recruit Crossing Guards to maintain safety at designated crossings. More details about recruitment can be found at www.hamilton.ca/crossingguards.  

Parking Enforcement

Hamilton Municipal Parking System (HMPS) will continue enforcing parking regulations around schools, focusing on areas with frequent parking complaints and safety concerns from previous years.

HSR Transit

Students using HSR transit should arrive at their stop at least five minutes before their bus arrives. Remember to stop, look, and listen and always be aware of your surroundings. When the bus arrives, stand at the bus marker so the driver can see you, and stand back from the curb when the bus approaches - crowding the edge of the curb may result in serious injury. If waiting at a stop with multiple routes, stand back until you your bus arrives or wave at the driver to let them know you’re waiting. Once on board, please stay behind the white or yellow lines and avoid standing on the stairs or ramp. 

All HSR buses have bike racks on their front bumper that accommodate two bicycles. Customers using these racks should inform the driver when retrieving their bicycles and exit from the front of the bus. Parents of young cyclists are responsible for providing adult supervision throughout their journey, including loading and unloading bicycles at their destination.

For more information about bus safety, visit www.hamilton.ca/TryTransit.

Active School Travel

Encouraging active transportation benefits physical and mental well-being. Many youths are not meeting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Active school travel offers an excellent opportunity to build physical activity into their day.

Using active forms of transportation - such as walking, cycling, and wheeling, even part of the way to school - can benefit physical and mental health, boost academic performance, strengthen social connections, and help kids arrive at school ready to learn.

Shifting from motorized to active transportation also reduces air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, traffic noise, and congestion in neighbourhoods.

For assistance or resources to promote active school travel in your school community, more information is available at www.hamilton.ca/ActiveSchoolTravel or email  [email protected].

Public Health

The start of the school year is an ideal time to support your child’s health and well-being. It is recommended that children go to the dentist and have an eye exam before school begins. To find out if your child qualifies for free dental care, visit www.hamilton.ca/dental. To learn more about accessing free eyeglasses for kindergarten children, visit www.EyeSeeEyeLearn.ca. For any additional questions related to your child’s growth and development before entering school, you can call 905-546-CITY (2489) and ask to speak to a Public Health Nurse on the Health Connections phone line.

It is also important to ensure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date and reported to Hamilton Public Health Services. Avoid the risk of your child being suspended from school, as records of certain vaccines or valid exemptions are required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Parents are responsible for notifying Public Health each time their child receives a vaccine. In the event of an outbreak, Public Health needs to have the vaccine information for all daycare and school-aged children to protect the community from serious vaccine-preventable diseases. Learn more about the immunization schedule, available clinics, and how to report your child’s vaccination at www.hamilton.ca/vaccines. 

School communities can also access many different resources to support the health and well-being of students through visiting www.hamilton.ca/healthyschools. 

Hamilton Public Library

The Library is your back-to-school headquarters. Visit HPL in person or online at www.hpl.ca/learn to access various literacy and learning materials, back-to-school programs and resources for students, parents, guardians and educators. 

Library staff are available to help during open hours where you can connect to Wi-Fi and access Makerspace tools, while after-hours study halls offer quiet spaces to work or study. Register for a library card online at www.hpl.ca or visit any Branch or Bookmobile.