After losing two students to traffic crashes near campus, Ed White High School is taking innovative steps to protect its students with reflective-striped jackets as part of their uniform options.
The initiative comes in the wake of two devastating losses.
In October 2024, 17-year-old student athlete Alaysha Williams lost her life while crossing Blanding Boulevard. This tragedy followed a similar incident in 2018, when student Shaqia Bryant was hit and killed while crossing Normandy Boulevard.
“Alaysha’s still fresh here at Ed White, so the kids are still talking about it. The community is talking about it,” said Principal Traci Battest.
Pre-dawn safety concerns
Many Ed White students arrive at school before sunrise, whether walking, biking, or riding scooters.
The new reflective uniform jackets aim to make these early-morning commuters more visible to drivers.
“We have many students who walk to school, ride their bicycles, ride scooters, and oftentimes it’s dark outside,” explained Battest. “When it’s dark outside, we want them to be able to be seen, so that’s why we’ve incorporated the reflective jackets.”
Parent and student response
The initiative has garnered strong support from parents like Anastasia Terrell, who had reflectors added to her freshman daughter’s jacket.
“I can’t imagine being the parent that gets the phone call that their child was hit,” Terrell said. “The best part is, you can see them from anywhere.”
Maya Terrell appreciates the added security.
“It adds some safety. It makes me feel good knowing in the morning when I get to school in the dark, that people can see me when I’m crossing the streets,” she said.
Urgent need for traffic safety
The need for such measures remains critical, as Battest notes that students were hit by cars during the first week of this school year.
Her message to drivers is clear.
“Slow down, the kids are trying to get to school,” Battest said.
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The reflective jacket initiative aligns with Duval County Public Schools’ “Be Safe. Be Seen” campaign, which promotes visibility and traffic awareness for student safety.
Additionally, Ed White High School plans to implement a traffic garden on campus to provide hands-on road safety education.