City and Bowditch Middle School Share Safety Reminders as Students Return to Campus Beginning April 19

For Immediate Release: April 14, 2021
Contact: Levee Project Hotline at 1-800-213-6320, leveeproject@fostercity.org   

With Bowditch Middle School scheduled to welcome students back to campus for a modified “hybrid” learning schedule beginning Monday, April 19, the school and the City of Foster City would like to remind community members to use extra caution when driving near the Bowditch Middle School area.

Approximately 300 students will return to the campus, with school starting at 8:20 AM and ending at 12:45 PM resulting in an increase of all forms of traffic including vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles.

“I am excited that we have reached the point where it is safe for teachers and students to return back to campus,” said Bowditch Middle School Principal Heather Morgan. “Since we haven’t had people traveling to and from our campus in so long, this is a big change and I want to urge our students, families and community members to be extra careful when driving, biking or walking in the area.”

The City of Foster City is partnering with Bowditch Middle School to share safety reminders, particularly due to the ongoing Levee Improvements Project construction and impacts to Beach Park Boulevard. Below are important safety and traffic tips:

  • Use only approved entrance points to the Bowditch Middle School campus. The designated entry points will be labeled by grade, near the front office. The Swordfish entrance near the tennis courts will be for wheels only (students on bikes/scooters, etc.).
  • Please avoid left turns onto Beach Park Boulevard to make it as easy as possible for vehicles to drop off and pick up students from school on Tarpon Street.
  • Consider finding alternative biking routes for students that avoid Beach Park Boulevard, which may be more heavily-trafficked.
  • Use the sidewalk if walking to and from school (you should not ride your bike on the sidewalk).
  • Please avoid crossing Beach Park Boulevard mid-block and use caution when using the designated crosswalks.
  • Remember to drive slowly. The speed limit along Beach Park Boulevard, from Foster City Boulevard to Teal Street, has been reduced to 25 mph for the duration of the project.

“We are committed to ensuring public safety during the Levee Improvements Project, and that includes promoting the safety of the Bowditch Middle School community,” said City Manager Peter Pirnejad. “We understand that the construction along Beach Park Boulevard is an inconvenience for students and parents of Bowditch Middle School, and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”

To sign up for emails related to the Levee Improvements Project, including regular construction updates, visit the project website at www.FosterCityLevee.org. The community is also encouraged to sign up for a 15-minute Levee Live session to speak directly with project representatives. Any construction-related issues or inquiries may be reported to the project hotline at 1-800-213-6320 (calls will typically be returned within 24 hours).

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