Relentless snarls of traffic around Montessori De Sagrada Familia sparked a noteworthy topic for discussion among parents, students, and fellow commuters in the city of Baliwag in recent weeks. The surge of vehicles vying for parking spaces during drop-off and pick-up times further augmented this challenge. However, this hurdle birthed an expression of community-driven creativity: Carpooling!
Carpooling refers to a transportation arrangement between two or more families whose children attend the same school (MDSF) concurrently, and lastly, capable of sharing a single ride to accompany their young Sagradans toward and from school.
As a growing community, MDSF encourages its Sagradan families to embrace this simple yet practical option, not only to alleviate traffic congestion and parking strain but also to promote a sense of social and environmental stewardship which guarantees to decrease the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere every day.
Studies support that children are highly influenced by the behavior that they observe in adults, particularly in authority figures like parents and teachers. In line with this, as children witness the concept of collaboration in action through carpooling, they might hone themselves to embrace and internalize efficient practices in their future lives; a perspective of sustainable living, social responsibility, and community involvement.
At the heart of this pursuit lies the crucial agreement among all participants to share the ride willingly. Admittedly, some may perceive the initiative as an additional obligation for drivers and families involved. However, the positive outcomes of this arrangement outweigh these concerns, for not only do students have the chance to bond with each other, but they also become engaged in regular adherence to rules, and it becomes an experiential learning experience for them, emphasizing the significance of punctuality and respecting others’ time. Additionally, carpooling provides an apt platform to sow responsible behavior, such as tidiness and consideration for others, as each passenger plays a part in maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in each shared drive.
Additionally, one clear reason is that when multiple students share a single ride, it could strikingly result in the volume of cars dwindling, and consequently, reduction of congestion during peak hours. It also addresses the pressing concern of parking demand.
In the long run, carpooling could create not just a ripple but waves of positive impact that extend beyond our school gates, as the streamlined technique manifests through the lives of our students and traverses throughout the wider community. So, if you are in the same boat with us (or should I say car?), why not give carpooling a try?
by: Reinlois V. Felipe