Our NISD schools and TC students haven’t been the only ones saying goodbye to summer break and preparing for the new school year. The Town of Trophy Club has been gearing up as well! Back to school means more traffic and more sharing of the road, with vehicles AND pedestrians. So the Town has spent the last few weeks preparing for the influx of activity, schedules and traffic about to hit the pavement. Safety remains a top priority for the Town leadership and it’s apparent with all of the following school prep projects.
“In Trophy Club we are committed to working hard to keep your most prized possessions safer as they make their way back to school,” stated Interim Town Manager and Fire Chief Wade Carroll
First priority in the Town’s back to school efforts was school zones around TC. The Trophy Club Streets Division worked tirelessly checking school zone flashers and crosswalks. One new crosswalk near the northernmost entrance for parking at the high school will be added to the eleven school zone crosswalks while the already established crosswalks received their annual inspection to ensure they are in good condition for all. Those in previous operation were treated to a facelift by way of restriping and sign updates where needed.
In addition to inspecting the crosswalks, staff worked diligently to rehab a portion of the sidewalk in the Lakeshore Drive pond area. Updating this area of sidewalk section will provide a smoother field in which students can ride, walk or run to school this fall.
Though the crosswalks and sidewalks will be in pristine condition, not all of the construction projects could happen while school was on summer break. Beginning in the Fall (start date TBD), a major Capital Improvement Project (CIP) will be taking place on the Southbound side of Trophy Club Drive between Bobcat Blvd and Durango. For more information or to receive updates on the progress of this and other CIP projects, please visit, www.TrophyClub.org/developmentactivity
“Streets are a fundamental part of all cities and towns,” said Community Development Director Tommy Uzee, “Convenience, access, safety, and comfort are all factors that are considered in the planning. The contractor for these three projects was approved by Council on May 14th of this year and they are moving forward with scheduled complete timeline targeting early September of 2020.”
Roads and construction aren’t the only ways the Town is prepping for the new school year. Behind the scenes, training has been taking place as well. The Trophy Club Police and Fire Departments participated in an “active shooter” training at Byron Nelson High School during the summer months. The purpose of this type of on-going training is to provide first responders with skill development and tactical experience in the event of a real-life situation. These training scenarios include individuals portraying the “active shooter or shooters” with first responders putting their knowledge, experience, and skills to the test. These first responders are trained to assess a situation quickly and diffuse a threat while protecting anyone who may be in harm’s way. During training, TC first responders worked with their mutual aid partners learning how to: immediately assess and neutralize an active threat; treat the injured and work together to remove victims from harm’s way.
While the Police and Fire Departments were in their training, the Crossing Guards were also gearing up for their school season to start. The School Crossing Guards are dedicated to providing safe bicycle and pedestrian routes to and from school, for elementary, middle and high school-aged children. The Crossing Guard Program in Trophy Club currently has nine crossing guards covering posts at four schools throughout the Town. The Crossing Guards polished up on training that included essential crossing guard procedures, information on the health and welfare of guards, proper equipment and uniforms as well as a refresher on what resources are available from the Police and Fire departments to help the guards ensure the children’s safety.
“The Crossing Guards are a critical component to the Police Departments’ child safety program”, said Chief Arata. “So during school zone hours slow down and watch for kids and follow the directions of the crossing guards.”
The Trophy Club Fire Department has also gotten in on the back to school prep by facilitating a training session for teachers and staff on first aid and general fire safety on each of our school campuses this year. The training consisted of traumatic injury wound care called “Stop the Bleed” where teachers learned how to use tourniquets and other methods to safely stop severe bleeding. Teachers also had an opportunity to hear from our Fire Marshal, Gary Cochran, on general fire and life safety practices to make our schools a safer place to learn.
As the Town of Trophy Club winds down its preparation for this coming school year, we hope our residents are also prepped and ready! If not, Hurry up and complete those preparations so you can enjoy these last few weeks of summer in style. The Town Community pool is hailing you in during these final days and once that school bell rings, their hours and availability will be shortened before its final closing after Labor Day Weekend! Check out the full pool schedule and get there before time is up. https://www.trophyclub.org/pool
But most importantly Trophy Club, enjoy both the end of summer and beginning of the school year the best way possible in Town….prepped and ready! Let’s do this TC!