School-zone safety campaign launches in Memorial

The tragic death of a School at St. George Place kindergarten student, who was killed at a crosswalk outside the school, has spurred a school-zone safety campaign.

The campaign, "School-Zone Safety the Jett Way," honors Jett Ogansoy, the 6-year-old who was fatally struck by a car on October 24, 2008, near the school.

Set to launch at 7 a.m. on March 4, the two-hour rally outside the elementary school, 5430 Hidalgo St., is designed to encourage drivers to slow down and stay off their cell phones.

Participants will wear brightly colored t-shirts with a no-cell-phone logo and line the sidewalks and medians around the school, holding signs and distributing leaflets to passing motorists. Firefighters and police officers are scheduled to attend to show their support.  

At 8 a.m., 700 students, family, friends and neighborhood residents will simultaneously launch paper airplanes with personal safety messages written on them to show support of the campaign and to honor Jett Ogansoy.

Building up to the campaign launch, students are participating in safety programs presented by local law enforcement agencies. School-zone safety parent pledges are being sent home with students for parents to sign. Students who show initiative in safety in a school zone can earn safety certificates.

Jett's family, with the help of friends, created a garden at the school in his memory.

For additional information, contact Bev Pullin at 832-282-0929.