Q: It is back-to-school time already! The first few weeks of school are always extra frantic at drop-off and pick-up times. What can parents do to ensure their kids are safe?
Parents are all too familiar with the chaos of getting kids ready and out the door to school. Please remember to be extra cautious behind the wheel as you navigate the drop-off lines. I encourage all parents to be Heads Up drivers. This means disconnecting from distractions - make sure you are not on your cell phone, digging through backpacks or signing that last-minute permission slip. Keep your focus on the road in front of you and the children in the crosswalk. The same goes for parents walking their kids to class. Make sure that drivers see you and your young students before you step off the curb; always cross at a marked crosswalk and with a crossing guard whenever possible. For more information, please visit santa-clarita.com/headsup.

Q: Speaking of back-to-school time, the city's award-winning Parent Resource Symposium is returning with a new topic this year. What can parents expect to learn?
This annual event has brought crucial information and resources to parents for years and has tackled hard-hitting topics such as vaping, the dangers of social media and more. This year's theme is Chasing the High, focusing on the dangers of prescription pills. The event will be held at City Hall on Friday, September 23, beginning with a Resource Fair at 5:30pm. Free to attend, this event will teach parents what prescription pill abuse is doing to kids and strategies to help their child cope with the many pressures they face at school, in the media and online. Attendees will learn the warning signs of pill abuse and hear from experts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Juvenile Intervention Team and the Mental Evaluation Team. Please mark your calendars for this very important event. For more information, please visit santa-clarita.com.

Q: The City of Santa Clarita offers so many important programs but also amazing events, engaging athletics and a wide range of resources for residents. How can people find out about everything going on in Santa Clarita?
There are many ways community members can connect with the city. You can always give us a call and chat with a city staffer at 259-CITY or visit our website at santa-clarita.com. If you have a specific issue or question, you can also visit the Resident Service Center at santa-clarita.com/rsc. On that website, or the mobile app, you can request information, assistance or report an issue. Your request will be tracked and promptly responded to. If you are looking to discover a new hobby or get active - look no further than Seasons Magazine. Delivered to all homes in the city four times a year, Seasons is full of city information, classes, sports leagues, events and much more. You can also view the online version at santa-clarita.com/seasons. One of the most engaging ways to interact with your city is through our social media accounts. On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and even TikTok, you can learn valuable information, get emergency updates, meet Your Friends at City Hall, see event photos and get city council meeting recaps. To make sure you are following the City of Santa Clarita on all our pages, please visit santa-clarita.com/social.