180 likes | 331 Views
Active Transportation in Schools. Ottawa Public Health 2013-2014. Why we do it?. Are we DRIVING our kids to UNHEALTHY HABITS?. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK2syvFYcsA&feature=youtu.be. Walking and Wheeling to School. Increases a child’s daily physical activity Reduces stress
E N D
Active Transportation in Schools Ottawa Public Health2013-2014
Are we DRIVING our kids to UNHEALTHY HABITS? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK2syvFYcsA&feature=youtu.be
Walking and Wheeling to School • Increases a child’s daily physical activity • Reduces stress • Improves grades at school • Increases social interactions • Helps reduce gas emissions around schools.
Overcoming Barriers • Barriers to walking and wheeling to school are often linked to real or perceived safety hazards and the amount of time parents have. • Schools & School Councils can take steps to increase the number of children who walk or wheel to school to benefit the overall physical and mental health of children.
Assessing Safety • Classroom Hands-Up Survey • Traffic Observation and Count Form • Ottawa Public Health Active Transportation Assessment Tools. http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/school-travel-planning-toolkit
Active Transportation in Ottawa Schools • Many elementary and high schools have been involved in a program called Active and Safe Routes to School (A&SRTS). • Some schools have created a plan to increase active transportation called School Travel Planning (STP).http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/school-travel-planning
School-Wide Events • iwalk Day: A day in October to participate in active travel to and from school. • Walking/Wheeling Wednesdays: One day during the week is dedicated to active travel. • Winter Walk Day: A day in February to encourage winter active travel. http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/winter-walk-day
School Activities • Kiss N’ Ride: Bussed students may be dropped off in a designated spot to walk the remaining distance to school. • Greening-the-Tree activity: Each day, if students use active travel, they get a leaf. • Walking clubs: Promotion of walking at school. • AT Wheel Trivia: for youth and parents.
Walking School Bus http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/walking-school-bus
Community Partners Who Can Help • Green Communities Canada: Consult with schools interested in creating a school travel plan • Ottawa Safety Council: Pedestrian safety presentations to schools and community Registration Form: http://www.ottawasafetycouncil.org/childrens-programs/in-school-presentations
Community Partners (cont’d) • Ottawa Police Services: Enforcement of speed and stop signs around schools • City of Ottawa By-law: ‘No Idling’ at schools, illegal parking around schools and change of speeds around schools.
Community Partners (cont’d)Ottawa Public Health nurses have many roles
You Can Make a Change! • Identify safe routes to school. • Parent champions can help promote AT to other parents. • Create a plan with your family to look at barriers to active travel and take action on solutions. • Commit to active transportation by being a role model.
Contact Information • Ottawa Public Health Information Line 613-580-6744or healthy.schools@ottawa.ca • Green Communities Canada http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/ Thank you!