"Again, this year, we challenge ourselves to seek ways to provide the tools that help our educators and parent groups through these challenging times efficiently and with the greatest impact. In 2011-2012, basic needs will take priority. Please keep this focus in mind as you apply for a Toolbox for Education grant in the 2011-2012 academic year. Thank you."

(CHAPEL HILL, N.C.) December 21, 2011 - The National Center for Safe Routes to School announced today the selection of its newest mini-grant recipients - a program made possible through the federal Safe Routes to School program. Twenty-six schools, municipalities and organizations from across the country will receive $1,000 to support projects designed to encourage students and their families to safely walk and bicycle to school. The mini-grant activities, many of which are driven by students, will occur during the spring semester of the 2011-2012 school year.

"This is our fifth round of mini-grants, and we continue to be impressed with how communities can leverage a little bit of funding and a lot of commitment to develop new programs and to build upon strategies that may already be working well," said Lauren Marchetti, director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School. "The community and student leadership recognized here exemplify the forward-thinking mindset that can lead to communities that offer a variety of transportation options."

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are sustained efforts by schools, parents, schoolchildren, community leaders and local, state, federal and tribal governments to enable and encourage more children to walk and bicycle to school. The National Center, which serves as the clearinghouse for the federal SRTS program, received 212 eligible SRTS mini-grant applications from schools and community organizations nationwide during this fifth award cycle. Proposals selected in the highly competitive process distinguished themselves by identifying a need and proposing a sustainable program to address it.

Proposed mini-grant activities include creating peer mentor programs for walking safety, teaching students how to repair their own bicycles and supporting bicycle helmet usage. Some schools will produce student-designed brochures and provide training for volunteers to enhance oversight of children on their way to and from school.

"These mini-grant recipients represent a collection of great ideas and great need," Marchetti continued.  "Some proposals were highly innovative, while others used road-tested methods. The flexibility and creativity shown by the communities who develop strategies to increase safe routes is what makes the mini-grant program work so well."