logo Find us on Facebook 
Follow us on Twitter

Montana Safe Routes to School Newsletter

Let's Walk & Roll

November 2010

Greetings!      

The first Wednesday of October is International Walk to School Day. (www.walktoschool.org) On October 6, 2010 at least 15 communities Representing at least 24 schools participated across Montana.

In this edition we will be featuring their stories along with other updates from over the summer both locally and across the nation. We have had some great successes this year and we plan to build on it for an even greater year next year.

Thank you to all who have participated and supported in these events! You have played a significant part in helping us to make a difference.

In This Issue
Bozeman: Hawthorne School
Dillon SRTS
SRTS In the News
National SRTS News
Upcoming News
Bozeman SRTS Update: Hawthorne School
Hawthorne Students forming a bike train to school
The 2010 Walk/ Bike to school day was a striving success at Hawthorne School this year.  With over 240 out of our entire student body of 326 students, we had nearly 75% participation! 

This years participants had many options on safe routes to school.  We had groups walk from both the Bozeman Public Library and Beall park.  Bikers had the option to catch the bike train at either Bridger Creek golf course, the Story Mill, the new climbing rock off Tamarack St. or catch it as it rode past their house.  The biking train stretched nearly 2 blocks long and contained roughly 65 bikers. 

Students who rode one of the four buses were also included in this days activities.  They were unloaded at Beall park and were safely escorted back to Hawthorne in time for the post walk/bike celebration where treats and medals were handed out. 

Our goal of awareness and safety were achieved in this great day, and it is only time before we are able to accomplish the 100% participation target for our school.

Dillon SRTS Update

We gave away 140 helmets at our county fair booth and have ordered more for the upcoming Walk and Talk with the Doc event.

 

We held our first Walking Bus October 6th and had 23 kids, some parents, and a school board member join in!! We were so thrilled at the turnout. We gave out bike locks and water bottles to the kids that participated. This will be reoccurring every Wednesday and is being established by our local Campus Corps group. We are looking into developing a rewards system for the children who participate, and also into expanding into more Walking Buses from other areas of town. This was a lot of fun!

 

The Walk and Talk w/ the Doc was Saturday, October 9th. We had three local physicians attending. We will walk our established Walking Bus route, and talk to kids and their parents about the benefits of exercise and healthy lifestyles. We are giving away helmets, water bottles, bike locks, and refreshments at this event.

 

Our bicycle recycle program is gaining momentum. Some of the Campus Corps members have already begun the repairs process. We have local business donating seats and paint for the bikes.
SRTS In the News

Students walk to school in Shelby Montana
SRTS has been featured in several news articles across the state. It is exciting to see such recognition given to our efforts. Please check out the articles at the links given below.

 

Helena

Ennis

Ronan

Shelby

Scobey

National SRTS News

  • Minnesota:Minn. Schools Promote Biking, Walking To School Event: This article includes this quote:

At Lyndale elementary in Minneapolis, dozens of students walked and biked to school, including 10-year-old Jasmine Taylor. Taylor said the school day at Lyndale starts and ends at times that make walking an option... Lyndale school parents have organized what they call walking buses -- students and some parents who walk as groups to school every Wednesday through October.

Read more here.  

Kansas:Lawrence Students Hit the Pavement for International Walk to School Day: This article includes these quotes:

Nicholas and Matthew Howard already know how to walk to school, look both ways before crossing the street, follow instructions from a longtime crossing guard and say hello to gym teacher Mr. Hess on their way into Quail Run School...Wednesday wouldn't prove to be any different, as the fifth-grade twins made the familiar 0.3-mile trek to Quail Run, 1130 Inverness Drive, as part of International Walk to School Day...The twins' mother is happy that her children had an opportunity to participate in yet another International Walk to School Day. She already knows what's coming when the first snow arrives. "They'll be out there," she says. "They love walking to school when it snows."

Read more and see the video here. 

Walk to School Workout: The Chicago ABC affiliate recently broadcast this story featuring Cathy Lang, author and personal fitness trainer who discussed walking to school gear and how walking to school can be considered a workout, especially if children are wearing backpacks.  One of the tips accompanying this video includes this advice:

...Talk to your neighbors and arrange for every parent to take 1 or 2 days a week or if there is a parent who stays home or works from the house maybe they can take charge several days a week. You may end up jealous of the way their pants fit after a few weeks of walking the kids to (and ideally from) school. There are excellent resources available to help you choose safe routes and even plan community events to popularize actively getting to school at www.saferoutesinfo.org.

See the video and read the story with additional tips here.
Sincerely,


Taylor Lonsdale
Safe Routes to School Coordinator 
(406) 994-7031
taylor.lonsdale@coe.montana.edu

Important Dates

Dec. 31, 2010 Funding Application is due


Nov. 29, 2010 Webinar for Program Managers - Reimbursement and Quarterly Reporting


Reminder - We are happy to review draft applications for the upcoming funding cycle on a first come first serve basis

Upcoming News
Paul Staso and Bob joined in their Trek by students

I am very pleased to announce that PACE Trek and Montana SRTS have teamed up to provide a fabulous Encouragement opportunity for SRTS programs.


This spring your SRTS programs can follow Paul Staso and his stroller companion "Bob" as they run across the Mojave desert.  SRTS teams will try to keep pace with Paul as runs 506 miles in 17 days! In addition to logging miles students and teachers have the opportunity to participate through the virtual classroom, learning about the Mojave as they cross it with Paul and Bob.


 Please visit the webpage for more details.  You can also visit this link to see all the amazing things that The PACE Fitness Foundation is doing, including a planned trek in September of 2011.


I am interested to hear from programs that will be including this as a part of their SRTS encouragement program or just doing it for fun and exercise.
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List