Walking School Bus Information Kristi Nalls St. Joseph’s Children’s Wellness and Safety Center School Transportation Working Group November 15, 2017

Walking School Bus Workshop For individual schools who are curious on how a walking school bus program could work for them Presented to PTA groups, school staff meetings, other parent groups Includes: Program Handbook Sample Forms Video Training Power Point

Florida Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Program Volunteer Workshop

What is a Walking School Bus? A group of children walking to/from school with adult supervision (parents or volunteers) Parents and volunteers are trained Does not replace or change traditional school bus routes Can operate monthly, weekly, or more often WSBs vary in structure and formality

Types of Walking School Buses Informal vs. Formal Families walking together (same neighborhood) Adult walk leaders meet children at group meeting spots Families meet at designated area (drop off/pick up) Trained adult volunteers stop at participating child’s home on planned route. * All Walking School Buses need a designated route and adequate adult supervision. Participants should have an understanding of safe pedestrian behaviors.

Walking School Bus Benefits Social Economic Environmental Safety Academic Physical Life-long good habits Traffic decreases, Roads become safer Parents feel that roads are becoming safer Fewer Parents drive their kids to school More children walk and bicycle to school Walking school buses offer many benefits to children, parents, and the community. Social benefits: Allows children to gain a sense of independence. Social opportunities for children, parents and volunteers to make friends and get to know the neighborhood. Parents and children can spend more time together Economic benefits: Walking to school instead of driving reduces fuel costs. Walking school buses may be faster than waiting in a long (up to an hour wait at some schools) line to pick-up/drop-off children. With walking as a viable form of transportation, less money is spent on bussing. Environmental benefits: With less children being driven to school and traffic congestion decreasing around schools, the overall air quality can improve for staff and students. Safety Benefits: Walking in a group can increase safety and helps reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Children are able to learn about pedestrian and other roadway safety through adult guidance and supervision. With less vehicles coming to schools, the school grounds become safer. Safety in numbers, reduced bullying with a leader Physical/Health Benefits: Walking provides children with physical activity and helps prepare them for learning. Children and adults can develop healthy habits and learn that walking is a viable transportation and physical activity option.  Readiness: Helps reduce absenteeism within schools, allows students to get to school in a timely manner, so students can eat breakfast and begin academics on time. Helps support attendance rate and holds students accountable for going to school instead of skipping.

Getting the WSB rolling Each WSB will be unique depending on the needs of the children, parents, school, and surrounding environment. Before starting a WSB, it is essential to identify whether it is possible to have one at the school. Depends on interest/support for program, traffic and walking conditions, distance from school, school administration, etc. Form a Team (committee of interested persons) Develop policies, map routes, recruit/train volunteers, etc. Determine which type of WSB is feasible for the school

Getting the WSB rolling 2. Determine interest and support (families, school, etc.) Once you’ve decided as WSB is possible, must determine if there is interest in participating. PTA support 3. Plan the Route Identify potential routes Walk and Assess routes Do you have room to walk? Are there good sidewalks? Is it easy to cross the street? Are there crossing guards? Is traffic a problem? Is there a safe meeting spot for students who live more than a mile from school? 4. Determine the Schedule Will you walk daily, weekly, monthly? Before and after school? Will the bus pick-up children at their house or will there be a meeting spot? (church, park, etc)

Getting the WSB rolling 5. Communicate with Families (recruit participants) Where/when WSB will begin, the route map, policies, etc. 6. Train Volunteers Hold a kick-off meeting before your first walk. Review walking safety practices, the walking route, and the rules with each driver. 7. Plan Kickoff Event Plan a Walk to School Day. Collect parent permission and student pledge forms. Promote the event. Publicize the event on the school’s marquee, morning announcements, website, and in the newsletter. Hang banners or flyers

Some Safety Rules Walk, do not run Use sidewalks/side paths when possible Watch for vehicles pulling out of/turning into driveways/streets Look Left-then Right-then Left again, and keep looking while crossing the street Obey traffic signs and signals Be aware of visual barriers that may block your view Follow the instructions of the adult volunteer Pay attention and do not be distracted.

Policies/Procedures to Consider Volunteer policy Tracking policy Late policy Absence Cancellation Weather Communication (parents, school, volunteers) Injuries Behavioral Issues

Keep it Moving! Hold special events or theme days. Reward frequent walkers with small incentives. Invite local “celebrities” to walk. Keep the routes safe and up to date. Conduct regular walks to identify areas for improvement. Recognize volunteers with certificates or awards.

Resources Florida Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Project – Program info and sample forms http://safety.hhp.ufl.edu Florida’s Pedestrian and Bicycling Safety Resource Center http://www.pedbikesrc.ce.ufl.edu/pedbike/default.asp National Center for Safe Routes to School http://saferoutesinfo.org Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/ Safe Routes to School National Partnership http://saferoutespartnership.org/ Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Information http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/walking_school_bus/ Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Guide http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/walking_school_bus/pdf/wsb_guide.pdf Safe Routes to School Guide: Teaching Children to Walk Safely http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/graduated_walking/pdf/TeachingChildrenToWalkSafely.pdf Safe Routes to School Walkability Checklist – How walkable is your community? http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/sites/default/files/walkabilitychecklist.pdf Walk/Bike to School Day http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/ http://www.iwalktoschool.org/ Walking School Bus Training Modules http://apps.saferoutesinfo.org/training/walking_school_bus/modules.cfm Incentives Program www.Fitnessfinders.com http://www.fitnessfinders.net/SearchResults.asp?Search=walking+school+bus&Submit=Search http://www.fitnessfinders.net/SearchResults.asp?Search=chains&Submit=Search