West Hartford Plans 4 Public Meetings School Transportation Safety

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford families will have an opportunity this month to weigh in on efforts to improve student transportation safety as town and school officials develop a districtwide Safe Routes to School program.

The Town of West Hartford and West Hartford Public Schools have launched the initiative covering all 16 public schools, including 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, and Conard and Hall high schools.

Four virtual community meetings are scheduled between Nov. 9 and Nov. 18 to provide information about the program, share preliminary findings and gather feedback from families.

The initiative examines how students travel to and from school, including walking, bicycling, riding electric bicycles and scooters, taking school buses, and traveling by car.

The goal is to identify practical improvements that could make those trips safer.

Town officials said each virtual meeting will include an overview of the program, early findings, and a moderated question-and-answer session.

The meetings are organized by grade level and high school feeder patterns, although families with children attending multiple schools may participate in any session.

All four meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

Elementary School Meetings

• Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m.: Hall High School feeder group, including Aiken, Braeburn, Bugbee, Morley, Norfeldt, and Whiting Lane elementary schools.
• Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m.: Conard High School feeder group, including Charter Oak, Duffy, Smith STEM, Webster Hill and Wolcott elementary schools.

Middle And High School Meetings

• Monday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.: Hall High School feeder group, including Hall High School, King Philip Middle School and Bristow Middle School.
• Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.: Conard High School feeder group, including Conard High School and Sedgwick Middle School.

How To Participate

Families can find registration information for the virtual meetings on the town's Safe Routes to School public meetings webpage.

West Hartford Community Interactive will livestream the meetings, record them, and make the recordings available afterward.

Recordings will be posted on the WHCI YouTube channel and the town's Safe Routes to School webpage.

The program is part of West Hartford's broader efforts to improve transportation safety and identify opportunities for safer travel around schools.

Officials are encouraging families throughout the district to participate and share their experiences with school transportation.