Georgia School Wellness Summit March 13, 2010 Manager: Sarah Knight

1. Georgia School Wellness SummitMarch 13, 2010Manager: Sarah Knight 

2. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Message: This is really a story of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, but we’re not going to talk about it in that order. We’re going to reverse it, and get the Ugly and the Bad out of the way first, before talking about the very Good solutions that are being undertaken to make things better all across the country The Ugly: A built and social environment that discourages kids from walking and cycling to school The Bad: We have a lot of serious health problems in our country today, largely due to inactivity and poor nutrition, not to mention air quality issues. (Time Magazine cover Dec 2008). The Good: Communities are using Safe Routes to School Programs to build settings and programs where parents and children want to walk and bicycle to school. In many cases, the positive effects are reaching well beyond the schools, and improving the settings for everyone in the community. Images: (l) Time Magazine, Dec 2008; (rt) Anchorage, AK, provided by Bob Laurie; (rb) Atlantic Elementary, Atlantic, IA provided by www.iwalktoschool.org Message: This is really a story of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, but we’re not going to talk about it in that order. We’re going to reverse it, and get the Ugly and the Bad out of the way first, before talking about the very Good solutions that are being undertaken to make things better all across the country The Ugly: A built and social environment that discourages kids from walking and cycling to school The Bad: We have a lot of serious health problems in our country today, largely due to inactivity and poor nutrition, not to mention air quality issues. (Time Magazine cover Dec 2008). The Good: Communities are using Safe Routes to School Programs to build settings and programs where parents and children want to walk and bicycle to school. In many cases, the positive effects are reaching well beyond the schools, and improving the settings for everyone in the community. Images: (l) Time Magazine, Dec 2008; (rt) Anchorage, AK, provided by Bob Laurie; (rb) Atlantic Elementary, Atlantic, IA provided by www.iwalktoschool.org

3. Fewer kids are biking and walking More parents are driving First let’s look at the facts. Today, fewer children are walking and biking and more parents are driving. Only a generation ago, children routinely traveled around their neighborhoods either on foot or on bike. Walking and bicycling were common ways to get to school. Today, few children (ages 5 to 18 yr. old) walk or bike. This is a major shift since when most of us were in school.* And as traffic increases, parents become even more convinced that it is unsafe for their children to walk. They begin driving their children to school, thereby adding even more cars to the morning chaos. Note to Instructor: Here’s a simple demonstration: ask all of the adults in the room who walked or bicycled regularly to school to raise their hands. Now ask how many have children in their lives (sons, daughters, grandchildren, neighbors) who walk or bike to school. There’s likely a large difference. Background: *Federal Highway Administration. (2008). NHTS Brief on Travel to School. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation. Image: Chamberlin Elementary School, Burlington, VT provided by Mike Cynecki. First let’s look at the facts. Today, fewer children are walking and biking and more parents are driving. Only a generation ago, children routinely traveled around their neighborhoods either on foot or on bike. Walking and bicycling were common ways to get to school. Today, few children (ages 5 to 18 yr. old) walk or bike. This is a major shift since when most of us were in school.* And as traffic increases, parents become even more convinced that it is unsafe for their children to walk. They begin driving their children to school, thereby adding even more cars to the morning chaos. Note to Instructor: Here’s a simple demonstration: ask all of the adults in the room who walked or bicycled regularly to school to raise their hands. Now ask how many have children in their lives (sons, daughters, grandchildren, neighbors) who walk or bike to school. There’s likely a large difference. Background: *Federal Highway Administration. (2008). NHTS Brief on Travel to School. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation. Image: Chamberlin Elementary School, Burlington, VT provided by Mike Cynecki.

4. Promoting safe walking and bicycling is an ideal strategy to increase physical activity Message: Promoting walking and biking to school is an ideal strategy to increase physical activity and health among children, but we only want to do it if it is safe. And that’s where Safe Routes to School programs come in. Image: Monarch Elementary School, Louisville, CO, provided by www.iwalktoschool.org. Message: Promoting walking and biking to school is an ideal strategy to increase physical activity and health among children, but we only want to do it if it is safe. And that’s where Safe Routes to School programs come in. Image: Monarch Elementary School, Louisville, CO, provided by www.iwalktoschool.org.

5. Message: Congress has established a federal SRTS program that provides $612 million to states for community SRTS projects. $612 million for SRTS over five fiscal years (until 2009). The next transportation bill is currently being discussed, and every indication is that SRTS funding will continue with next transportation bill. The funds go to State DOTs, who then can decide how to spend them. Eligible activities include infrastructure changes (ie, sidewalks, crosswalks, signs, signals, etc.) and non-infrastructure activities (ie. Education, encouragement, enforcement) for Kindergarten – 8th grade. States are required to allocate 70-90% for infrastructure and 10-30% non-infrastructure Each state has a SRTS coordinator whose name can be found at www.saferoutesinfo.org The federal program also calls for a National Clearinghouse, which is called the National Center for Safe Routes to School (which provided this course material). See the National Center web site at www.saferoutesinfo.org for more information. Background: More information available at saferoutesinfo.org In August 2005, federal legislation established a national Safe Routes to School program that dedicates a total of $612 million towards SRTS from 2005 to 2009. Specifically, the federal SRTS program provides funds that can be used for “Planning, design, and construction of infrastructure-related projects that will substantially improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school, on any public road or any bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail within approximately 2 miles of a primary or middle school;” and “non infrastructure-related activities to encourage walking and bicycling to school, including public awareness campaigns and outreach to press and community leaders, traffic education and enforcement, student training, and funding for training, volunteers, and managers of SRTS programs.” The federal SRTS program allows state, regional, and local agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, to receive funds for SRTS activities. This type of agency will need to be the official applicant for any infrastructure funding requests. Matching funds are not necessary for activities using federal SRTS funds. Note: if current legislation expires prior to reauthorization, there is discussion of a “continuing resolution” which will allow SRTS programs to continue to operate until the next transportation bill is passed. Image: Provided by Allen Matheson © Photohome.com Key Message: The Georgia Safe Routes To School (SRTS) program is housed in the Department of Transportation, and is designed to fund comprehensive programs that include the 5 Es (Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Evaluation, and Engineering) throughout Georgia to encourage and enable more children to walk and bike to school safely. Georgia received approximately $17.2 million in SRTS funds from 2005-2000. The funds are intended to start SRTS programs in communities and assist community members in sustaining successful SRTS programs. Georgia’s Interim Safe Routes to School Coordinator is Norm Cressman. Image: Georgia State Capital, Diego P. Canossa Message: Congress has established a federal SRTS program that provides $612 million to states for community SRTS projects. $612 million for SRTS over five fiscal years (until 2009). The next transportation bill is currently being discussed, and every indication is that SRTS funding will continue with next transportation bill. The funds go to State DOTs, who then can decide how to spend them. Eligible activities include infrastructure changes (ie, sidewalks, crosswalks, signs, signals, etc.) and non-infrastructure activities (ie. Education, encouragement, enforcement) for Kindergarten – 8th grade. States are required to allocate 70-90% for infrastructure and 10-30% non-infrastructure Each state has a SRTS coordinator whose name can be found at www.saferoutesinfo.org The federal program also calls for a National Clearinghouse, which is called the National Center for Safe Routes to School (which provided this course material). See the National Center web site at www.saferoutesinfo.org for more information. Background: More information available at saferoutesinfo.org In August 2005, federal legislation established a national Safe Routes to School program that dedicates a total of $612 million towards SRTS from 2005 to 2009. Specifically, the federal SRTS program provides funds that can be used for “Planning, design, and construction of infrastructure-related projects that will substantially improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school, on any public road or any bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail within approximately 2 miles of a primary or middle school;” and “non infrastructure-related activities to encourage walking and bicycling to school, including public awareness campaigns and outreach to press and community leaders, traffic education and enforcement, student training, and funding for training, volunteers, and managers of SRTS programs.” The federal SRTS program allows state, regional, and local agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, to receive funds for SRTS activities. This type of agency will need to be the official applicant for any infrastructure funding requests. Matching funds are not necessary for activities using federal SRTS funds. Note: if current legislation expires prior to reauthorization, there is discussion of a “continuing resolution” which will allow SRTS programs to continue to operate until the next transportation bill is passed. Image: Provided by Allen Matheson © Photohome.com Key Message: The Georgia Safe Routes To School (SRTS) program is housed in the Department of Transportation, and is designed to fund comprehensive programs that include the 5 Es (Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Evaluation, and Engineering) throughout Georgia to encourage and enable more children to walk and bike to school safely. Georgia received approximately $17.2 million in SRTS funds from 2005-2000. The funds are intended to start SRTS programs in communities and assist community members in sustaining successful SRTS programs. Georgia’s Interim Safe Routes to School Coordinator is Norm Cressman. Image: Georgia State Capital, Diego P. Canossa

6. Georgia Safe Routes to School Programs Make walking and bicycling safe ways to get to school Encourage more children to walk and bike to school Message: Safe Routes to School programs can be a way to help: To make walking and bicycling safe ways to get to school. To encourage more children to walk or bike to school. Image: McAuliffe Elementary, Lenexa, KS provided by Mike Cynecki. Enabling and encouraging children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school safely; Making bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and Facilitating the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity (approx. 2 miles) of primary and middle schools (Grades K-8). Message: Safe Routes to School programs can be a way to help: To make walking and bicycling safe ways to get to school. To encourage more children to walk or bike to school. Image: McAuliffe Elementary, Lenexa, KS provided by Mike Cynecki. Enabling and encouraging children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school safely; Making bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and Facilitating the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity (approx. 2 miles) of primary and middle schools (Grades K-8).

7. Benefits of SRTS Programs Reduce the number of children hit by cars Reduce congestion around schools Improve children’s health Reduce air pollution Can lead to cost savings for schools(reduce need for “hazard” busing) Others: increase child’s sense of freedom, help establish lifetime habits, teach pedestrian skills Message: While making it safer to walk or bike was the original goal in Denmark, there are many other benefits of SRTS programs. Other benefits include: Reducing congestion around schools. Improving children’s health—physical activity is needed for proper growth and development. Reducing air pollution—this is important since air pollutants have been shown to exacerbate asthma. Saving money for schools (reduce need for hazard busing in which bus service is provided for children who live close to school because the routes are not safe for walking). Other benefits include: Increasing children’s sense of freedom, helping establish lifetime habits, teaching pedestrian skills Message: While making it safer to walk or bike was the original goal in Denmark, there are many other benefits of SRTS programs. Other benefits include: Reducing congestion around schools. Improving children’s health—physical activity is needed for proper growth and development. Reducing air pollution—this is important since air pollutants have been shown to exacerbate asthma. Saving money for schools (reduce need for hazard busing in which bus service is provided for children who live close to school because the routes are not safe for walking). Other benefits include: Increasing children’s sense of freedom, helping establish lifetime habits, teaching pedestrian skills

8. Today’s children may be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents Message: Sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits are major contributors to the current obesity epidemic and increase in related diseases.* The obesity epidemic is just a warning sign of deeper problems to come. Other chronic disease rates are expected to climb, as further results of the American epidemic of physical inactivity. First among these is Type II diabetes which, until recently, was considered “adult onset diabetes.” Public health researchers have begun to speculate that this generation may be the first to not live as long as their parents.** Background: *Serdula M, Ivery D, Coates R, Freedman D, Williamson D, Byers T. (1993). Do obese children become obese adults? A review of the literature. Preventive Medicine, 22(2), 167-77. *American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition. (2003, reaffirmed 2006). Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity Pediatrics, 112(2), 424-430. Available at http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;112/2/424. Accessed August 11, 2008. *Daniels, S.R., Arnett, D.K., Eckel, R.H., Gidding, S.S., Hayman, L.L., Kumanyika, S. et al. (2005). Overweight in Children and Adolescents: Pathophysiology, Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment. Circulation, 111, 1999-2012. **Stated by: Dr. Kenneth Cooper, The Cooper Institute; Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; American Heart Association; Dr. William Klish, professor of pediatrics and head of pediatric gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Philip Schauer, an obesity specialist at Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Image: Message: Sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits are major contributors to the current obesity epidemic and increase in related diseases.* The obesity epidemic is just a warning sign of deeper problems to come. Other chronic disease rates are expected to climb, as further results of the American epidemic of physical inactivity. First among these is Type II diabetes which, until recently, was considered “adult onset diabetes.” Public health researchers have begun to speculate that this generation may be the first to not live as long as their parents.** Background: *Serdula M, Ivery D, Coates R, Freedman D, Williamson D, Byers T. (1993). Do obese children become obese adults? A review of the literature. Preventive Medicine, 22(2), 167-77. *American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition. (2003, reaffirmed 2006). Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity Pediatrics, 112(2), 424-430. Available at http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;112/2/424. Accessed August 11, 2008. *Daniels, S.R., Arnett, D.K., Eckel, R.H., Gidding, S.S., Hayman, L.L., Kumanyika, S. et al. (2005). Overweight in Children and Adolescents: Pathophysiology, Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment. Circulation, 111, 1999-2012. **Stated by: Dr. Kenneth Cooper, The Cooper Institute; Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; American Heart Association; Dr. William Klish, professor of pediatrics and head of pediatric gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Philip Schauer, an obesity specialist at Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Image:

9. Elements of a Safe Routes to School Program Engineering Encouragement Education Evaluation Enforcement Message: Safe Routes to School Programs employ the E’s – engineering, education, enforcement, and encouragement – to help achieve their goals. Evaluation is another element of the SRTS program and is used to identify which strategies are working well and which are not going as planned and why. Message: Safe Routes to School Programs employ the E’s – engineering, education, enforcement, and encouragement – to help achieve their goals. Evaluation is another element of the SRTS program and is used to identify which strategies are working well and which are not going as planned and why.

10. Resource Center 6 School Outreach Coordinators 877.436.8927 Wayfinding, Newsletter Downloadable Toolkit Incentive Items Promote the SRTS program to Principals, Superintendents, Stakeholders, Parents and Students Work within defined territories (based on Regional Commission boundaries) Establish Partnerships with 100 schools during 1st contract year Provide ongoing assistance to schools We have hired a team of School Outreach Coordinator who, along with myself, will promote the SRTS program in the school and community. Patti Sistrunk – Coastal Georgia Sandie Parker – Central Georgia Nykia Burke – South Georgia Abby Mattera – Metro Atlanta Andy Pittman – NE Georgia Alicia Hatcher – NW Georgia We’ve divided the state, based on the Regional Commission boundaries, into six territories. Each territory will have a School Outreach Coordinator to serve as the local SRTS expert. The SOCs will be tasked with establishing program partnerships at roughly 20 schools each/in the first year. This equates to roughly 100 schools during the first contract year. Once the relationships are established, SOCs will provide on-going assistance to schools in their territories with school-based management, training, marketing, event coordination and stakeholder presentations. Promote the SRTS program to Principals, Superintendents, Stakeholders, Parents and Students Work within defined territories (based on Regional Commission boundaries) Establish Partnerships with 100 schools during 1st contract year Provide ongoing assistance to schools We have hired a team of School Outreach Coordinator who, along with myself, will promote the SRTS program in the school and community. Patti Sistrunk – Coastal Georgia Sandie Parker – Central Georgia Nykia Burke – South Georgia Abby Mattera – Metro Atlanta Andy Pittman – NE Georgia Alicia Hatcher – NW Georgia We’ve divided the state, based on the Regional Commission boundaries, into six territories. Each territory will have a School Outreach Coordinator to serve as the local SRTS expert. The SOCs will be tasked with establishing program partnerships at roughly 20 schools each/in the first year. This equates to roughly 100 schools during the first contract year. Once the relationships are established, SOCs will provide on-going assistance to schools in their territories with school-based management, training, marketing, event coordination and stakeholder presentations.

11. Website www.SafeRoutesGA.org Message: The GA SRTS Resource Center web site has downloadable materials and resources that could also help you organize your event. .Message: The GA SRTS Resource Center web site has downloadable materials and resources that could also help you organize your event. .

12. Very Good News: Communities are taking action on behalf of their kids Dunwoody Elementary School (Bronze-level Partner) DeKalb County: Dunwoody Elementary hosted their first walk and bike to school day on March 3rd. Parent Champion and PTA Co-President, Kevin Cameron, led the effort by organizing four walking school buses and creating a golden shoe award for the class with the most participants. Despite the chilly temperatures, about 160 kids participated representing 20% of the school! The highly prized "Golden Shoe" award went to Ms. Phillips class who had 12 walkers. Three students also won a $10 Border Gift Cards that were raffled off after the walk. Dunwoody Elementary has already scheduled their next walks on Wednesday, April 14th and Wednesday, May 5th. Let's see who is going to take the "Golden Shoe" away from Ms. Phillips' class.Dunwoody Elementary School (Bronze-level Partner) DeKalb County: Dunwoody Elementary hosted their first walk and bike to school day on March 3rd. Parent Champion and PTA Co-President, Kevin Cameron, led the effort by organizing four walking school buses and creating a golden shoe award for the class with the most participants. Despite the chilly temperatures, about 160 kids participated representing 20% of the school! The highly prized "Golden Shoe" award went to Ms. Phillips class who had 12 walkers. Three students also won a $10 Border Gift Cards that were raffled off after the walk. Dunwoody Elementary has already scheduled their next walks on Wednesday, April 14th and Wednesday, May 5th. Let's see who is going to take the "Golden Shoe" away from Ms. Phillips' class.

13. Northeast Georgia Walk to School Day  Arcado Elementary, Lilburn 300+ students learned Pedestrian Safety Education   The kids' "homework" was to teach their parents the benefits of walking to school and show them how to do it the following morning; it worked great! 100 walkers in the morning

14. Coastal Georgia Walk to School Day West Chatham Elementary, Savannah Over 600 students and parents (and siblings and grandparents...) walked to school We were overwhelmed with the turnout! The school is using Walk to School Day as an opportunity to practice their safety skills AND evacuation drills! We were overwhelmed with the turnout! The school is using Walk to School Day as an opportunity to practice their safety skills AND evacuation drills!

15. Barden Elementary, Macon, Bibb County Started by one teacher that would walk to school with the kids every morning and then walk them home every morning. They sing the childrens song The more we get together, together, togetherthe more we get together, the happier we'll be‘Cause your friends are my friends and my friends are your friendsThe more we get together the happier we'll be.  And will sometime change the words to the more we walk together etc..Now teachers take turns walking the children home because they all like the exerciseBarden Elementary, Macon, Bibb County Started by one teacher that would walk to school with the kids every morning and then walk them home every morning. They sing the childrens song The more we get together, together, togetherthe more we get together, the happier we'll be‘Cause your friends are my friends and my friends are your friendsThe more we get together the happier we'll be.  And will sometime change the words to the more we walk together etc..Now teachers take turns walking the children home because they all like the exercise

16. South GeorgiaWalk to School Day Westside Elementary, Valdosta 800 walkers 150 Parents DARE Officer present Principal walked with every class Safety Education presentation Lowndes CountyLowndes County

17. McDuffie CountyWalk to School Day Dearing, McDuffie County – West of Augusta Dearing is a town in McDuffie County, Georgia, United States. The population was 441 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. According to Wikipedia.comDearing, McDuffie County – West of Augusta Dearing is a town in McDuffie County, Georgia, United States. The population was 441 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. According to Wikipedia.com

18. City of Decatur Walk to School Day City of Decatur Elementary Schools (Gold-level Partners) DeKalb County: Brrr...it was a very cold morning, but that didn't stop a better than expected number of students and parents from walking and biking to school today! Each school organized walking school buses, many led by school principals. Decatur Active Living staff and parent volunteers were on hand at Clairemont, Oakhurst, and Winnona Park Elementary Schools as well as Glennwood Academy with snacks and Safe Routes tokens for students and coffee for parents and guardians. A good time was had by all and many students chose to also walk home and were sent-off with goodies provided by the Decatur Active Living Department. City of Decatur Elementary Schools (Gold-level Partners) DeKalb County: Brrr...it was a very cold morning, but that didn't stop a better than expected number of students and parents from walking and biking to school today! Each school organized walking school buses, many led by school principals. Decatur Active Living staff and parent volunteers were on hand at Clairemont, Oakhurst, and Winnona Park Elementary Schools as well as Glennwood Academy with snacks and Safe Routes tokens for students and coffee for parents and guardians. A good time was had by all and many students chose to also walk home and were sent-off with goodies provided by the Decatur Active Living Department.

19. Northwest Georgia Walk to School Day West End Elementary, Rome The Principal welcomed every child at one walk starting point and gave them each a zipper pull. School Staff lined the sidewalks to encourage and excite the walkers The Principal welcomed every child at one walk starting point and gave them each a zipper pull. School Staff lined the sidewalks to encourage and excite the walkers Law Enforcement was on hand to offer visibility The Principal welcomed every child at one walk starting point and gave them each a zipper pull. School Staff lined the sidewalks to encourage and excite the walkers Law Enforcement was on hand to offer visibility

20. Safe Routes to School programs are part of the solution…

21. Become a School Partner or Community Friend Join the growing number of schools, communities and organizations in partnership with SRTS. Be part of the solution…

22. Contact me: Sarah KnightSarah@SafeRoutesGA.org 877.436.8927www.SafeRoutesGA.org

23. School Outreach Coordinators