TO ENSURE SAFETY OF STUDENTS VALET PROGRAM PROTECTS SCHOOLKIDS.

Byline: Peggy Hager  Staff Writer

LAKE LOS ANGELES - Vista San Gabriel School pupils get out of their parents' cars and minivans every morning with style - and safety.

Stationed at the gates in a new fence erected at the student drop-off area, four youngsters and two teachers open the doors of arriving cars, greet the parents and help children get out with their lunches and backpacks.

``The parents have to wait a little longer in line, but it's 100 percent safer now,'' said Vista San Gabriel Principal Catherine Sorenson.

Said fourth-grade valet Silvana Gonzalez: ``I think it's good because that way it's less risk of kids getting hit by cars. ... I think kids really like it.''

Valet Tasha Fisher, a fifth-grader, said she has fun opening car doors. The best part, she said, is when pupils come late.

``They're in a rush, and there's a lot of cars that we have to open,'' Tasha said.

The valet program was based on a similar program created by sheriff's deputies two years ago in the Santa Clarita Valley. Its implementation was speeded up by a January crash at an Eagle Rock school in which a woman picking up her granddaughter lost control of her car and injured 18 people.

``(Parents) used to drop kids off on Avenue O and the kids walked through the parking lot. It was really chaotic, especially (at) dismissal. Parents were double-parking, parking across the street and calling the kids over,'' said Sorenson, who became Vista San Gabriel principal last fall. ``This way, it's more contained. We have more control.''

The school removed several trees and filled in a flower bed with concrete, installing a 3-foot-high chain-link fence so students only have access to the parking lot from one end. There are two drop-off points for parents to let children out.

The valet program has side benefits, the principal said.

``The parents like it when the kids say hi and good morning,'' Sorenson said. ``The big kids just love it. They have to get here earlier than the rest of the kids, they're very responsible and it's good for their self-esteem.''

She added: ``The little kids are not so afraid of the big kids because they're seen as helpers, not big kids.''

In Santa Clarita, valets are on duty at 19 elementary schools and one junior high.

``We've been doing this program for over two years, and we haven't had any kids hurt,'' said sheriff's Sgt. Richard Phares, who trains the Santa Clarita student valets.

Vista San Gabriel's valets had to obtain permission from their parents and teachers to take part because they miss about 10 minutes of class each morning. The valets alternate among a group of 32.

Fourth-grader Spencer Barragan said he volunteered because of accidents like the one in Eagle Rock and a worse one in March when a car killed two youngsters, ages 6 and 7, at a Buena Park elementary school.

``I wanted to do it so I can help the kids not get hit by cars, because of the last tragedy that happened,'' Barragan said. ``I wanted to help out with that. The only thing I could help out with was (to) take the student job, and I like it.''

The valet program does have detractors.

Parent Pat Mares, dropping off his son Patrick, said it makes for a long wait, particularly at dismissal time.

``The whole idea is for the kids not to get hit, which is a great idea, but they've really got to iron it out,'' said Mares, who suggested a double line for afternoon pick-ups.

School maintenance worker Ron Diuguid, who helps the valets each morning, advised parents to have patience.

``You trade a couple of minutes of your day for the safety of the kids,'' Diuguid said.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Fifth-grader Tasha Fisher, 11, opens a car door for an arriving student at Vista San Gabriel Elementary School.

(2 -- 3 -- color) Valets, front to back, Silvana Gonzalez, 10, Ashley Dodge, 10, and Susana Lopez, 11, open car doors for students, above. At right, valet Spencer Barragan, 10, does the honors for arriving students.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer