The incredible weather has me thanking my lucky stars to be in Portland, after a snowy week in South Dakota.  I feel so lucky to live here, where an early April springtime walk is rewarded with blooming magnolias and smiling spring fever faces. Consider that last sentence a segue to bring up an association in need of Fo Po volunteers:  Safer Routes to School. 

Here's the message their organizer, Carolina Iraheta Gonzalez, recently sent to the neighborhood listserv:

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Safer Routes to School is currently looking for volunteers to lead walking and biking efforts at your school. We provide free resources and trainings. If you would like to take on a campaign at your school or would like more information, please contact Carolina.

Stop + Walk:  The Stop + Walk campaign aims to decrease traffic congestion around schools by asking parents who drive to pick-up or drop-off students to park a  couple of blocks away from school and let their students walk the rest of the way.

Walking School Bus: A walking school bus is a... (more)

Did you see yesterday's story about the case of the disappearing sisters? A third grader and a seventh grader both disappeared yesterday afternoon, and were (thank goodness!) found this morning in Newberg.  The foster mother dropped the girls off in the morning, but they were gone when she came to pick them up in the afternoon. 

It's not hard to jump to the conclusion that a biological relative picked the girls up.  What's harder to understand is why the staff at Grout didn't stop this story before it started.  As a former elementary school teacher myself, I can relate that this story represents my worst nightmare-- a child gone under my watch.  I can't help but wonder what procedures the school had in place, and what went awry.  What are your suggestions for successful and safe kid pickups and drop offs,  as Click and Clack might say?