Transition School Students Create School Crossing Sign For Cataldo

Thu., Nov. 21, 1996

Mike Prager Staff Writer

Motorists heading north on Bernard Street in the morning have had a hard time seeing the school crossing for Cataldo Catholic School at 18th Avenue.

So one local teacher, hoping to prevent accidents, decided to do something about the problem.

Tim Lorentz, who teaches homeless children at the YWCA, organized a project to build a warning sign for the school crossing near Cataldo, which, he said, “is not well marked.”

His students at the YWCA Transition School designed the warning sign, and materials were donated by the National Barricade & Sign Co. in Spokane, where Lorentz’s father-in-law, Pete Freeman, is an owner.

The sign reading, “Caution. Crossing Guards,” was printed on orange reflective material and will be mounted to a golf hand cart so it can be moved to the intersection of 19th and Bernard each morning and afternoon.

Cataldo Principal Dick Pelkie said tree branches obscure the vision of northbound drivers coming down the hill near the school crossing.

Pelkie said he has permission from police to put the warning sign on the center line of Bernard a block south of the crossing.

Currently the school has four parents and two student crossing guards each morning. One parent waves a hand flag at 19th and Bernard to warn motorists of the crossing at the next intersection.

Lorentz said the sign project is a kind of repayment because Cataldo students and parents frequently help the children who attend the transition school.

The transition school is a special public classroom for children whose parents are temporarily without homes as a result of economic hardship, domestic violence or other problems.

Lorentz and his students will deliver the sign during a presentation Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Cataldo School.

, DataTimes

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.