130 likes | 231 Views
ALABAMA WALK Featuring THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS. School. Neighborhood. Program Guide. WHAT IS THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS?. A component of the Alabama Safe Routes to School Program Conducted by trained volunteers who serve as escorts A method of promoting highway safety and physical fitness
E N D
ALABAMA WALK Featuring THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS School Neighborhood Program Guide
WHAT IS THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS? • A component of the Alabama Safe Routes to School Program • Conducted by trained volunteers who serve as escorts • A method of promoting highway safety and physical fitness • Students join as walkers pass their home
WHO NEEDS A WALKING SCHOOL BUS? • Neighborhood schools where a majority of the students walk. • Neighborhood schools with a high percentage of students who are driving within a two mile radius • Neighborhood schools prone to high crime/high vehicle crash statistics
GETTING THE WHEELS “ROLLING” • Meet with School Representatives • Give brief explanation of the program • Conduct neighborhood safety surveys and audits • Distribute promotional and educational material
POTENTIAL GOALS • Increase the number of students walking • Increase physical fitness of area students • Raise community awareness • Reduce unlawful behavior • Making necessary highway safety improvements • Tie to other neighborhood safety initiatives
GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT SRTS • Identify and validate community SRTS problems • Create/distribute a promotional flyer • Find a community SRTS champion • Prepare brief introductory • Get SRTS message on local agency agendas • Appoint a work team • Organize community meetings with target audience
THE FIRST SRTS MEETING AGENDA • Working team introduction • How the program works • Overview of problems • Questions/Answers • Preview neighborhood street maps • Identify safety improvements • Recruit volunteers to sign up • Hold subsequent meetings as necessary
Route Identification Location/type of improvements Avoid busy intersections Use of residential streets Learn/Teach basic pedestrian “Rules of the Road” Use of scenic and educational points Interaction with law enforcement SRTS WALKING BUS DRIVERS TRAINING
DEVELOPING NEIGHBORHOOD ROUTE OWNERSHIP • Conduct a naming the route contest • Install signs designating the Route • Distribute goal oriented flyer, brochures/bookmarks • Secure promotional sponsors • Get “Bus Driver” safety clothing and equipment
SAMPLE ROTATION SCHEDULE FORM Walking School Bus Group Name: ____________________________________ Months/Year: ________________________ Group Leader: _______________________ Agency: _____________________
NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICIPATION AWARD REWARDING COMMUNITY EFFORTS
LET’S GET ROLLING AND HAVE A GREAT YEAR! School Neighborhood