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

2. 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

3. Florida Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Program
Volunteer Workshop

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

14. Resources
Florida Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Project – Program info and sample forms
Florida’s Pedestrian and Bicycling Safety Resource Center
National Center for Safe Routes to School
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Information
Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Guide
Safe Routes to School Guide: Teaching Children to Walk Safely
Safe Routes to School Walkability Checklist – How walkable is your community?
Walk/Bike to School Day
Walking School Bus Training Modules
Incentives Program