Education
Transportation
BY ELLE BENT
BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON
New program supports teachers, students
Vision Zero initiative saves lives and $28M in Austin Fatal and serious injury crashes have decreased by 22% at major intersections in Austin where safety improvements have been made, according to a June report on the city’s Vision Zero program. The initiative aims to eliminate tra c-related serious injuries and fatalities. The gist Since 2016, the Austin Transportation Department has completed safety improvements on 27 separate intersections in Austin. In addition to saving an estimated 40 people from being injured or killed at these locations, a nearly 20% decrease in total crashes seen at major intersections has resulted in an annual comprehen- sive cost of crash savings of over $28 million. Per the report, the construction of safety improvements for all 22 intersections cost $18.5 million.
Paid parking begins along SoCo Avenue The city of Austin has installed new signs outlining new paid parking zones around South Congress Avenue to address long standing parking issues within the area, according to an update from the city of Austin’s transportation department. What you should know Some zones will be designated exclusively for paid visitor parking, while others will be shared with residents and business employ- ees. Signs will guide visitors on which parking zone they are in. The district will be completely digital. Drivers wishing to park in the area can download the Park ATX app or text “park- ing” to 30843 and follow prompts to start a parking session.
In May, Cowan Elementary School teacher Devon Whipple sat in a circle with her fourth grade students, wearing a bear-shaped hat. “Take a deep breath in, arms all the way up, and show me that bear growl,” she said, and in response, her students roared, nishing a normal routine of yoga. Whipple said yoga motivates her and her students, a tool she learned through the national Breathe for Change program. The program was brought to Austin ISD as nearly 70% of teachers statewide face burnout, according to the American Federation of Teachers. This spring, about 30 teachers across 10 campuses went through the program. About the program Amie Ortiz, AISD executive director of talent engagement, pitched the idea for the 2023-24 school year. She worked with the district’s health
care provider, Aetna, to receive funding for the program, which can cost up to $3,000 per teacher. Breathe for Change o ers social-emotional learning practices, mindfulness and yoga training to help educators maintain their well-being and bring the strategies to class. “The focus of this is we want self-regulating kids,” said Kelli Sammis, Breathe for Change director of school and district solutions. “But they can’t do that until it’s modeled.” Whipple said because of the program, she’s calmer in class and behaviors have declined. “If [students] can be calm, relaxed and feel safe, then they’re regulating their nervous system and able to access that part of the brain where they learn,” Whipple said. In 2023, counselors in Austin schools reported more students needing mental health care. Experts pointed to COVID-19 disruptions as a cause, even after returning to school.
Cowan Elementary School students practice yoga in their classroom May 9.
ELLE BENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
“Everything is back as if we’re just normal,” Sammis said. “But we’re not normal.” What’s next This summer, campus leadership will be taught strategies as the program expands to more AISD schools. “I don’t think this is something every teacher would be interested in,” Ortiz said. “But, I think the district has to o er a variety of things that work for di erent people.”
Crash type comparison
120 150
18.3%
28.4%
0 30 60 90
Vision Zero reporting shows reductions across all crash types at major intersections in Austin from 2016 to early 2023.
20.7%
37.8%
33.8%
Before safety improvements After safety improvements
Rear end
Angle*
Pedestrian- involved
Left turn across path
Bicycle- involved
*TYPICALLY FROM RUNNING A RED LIGHT
SOURCE: VISION ZERO ANALYTICS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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