International Walk to School Week

International walk to school week is October 3rd to the 7th. This is a week to remind all of us that walking to school has many physical health benefits. This week also should remind us that there are a number of safety issues including traffic that need to be contended with. Many children who live less than a mile from school have to walk. This has been a point of concern for many parents. We can make this into a positive using walking buses and safe routes to schools. These are simple tools that we can offer our parents and children.

We have all been wondering how we can improve our children’s safe transportation to school. Many have to walk to school along busy roads and highways. There is no silver bullet to this problem but if we explore and implement several options we may help mitigate this issue. As Isanti grows our traffic will increase and the number of children having to walk to school will escalate. This causes safety concerns. One possible solution is walking buses.
A 'Walking Bus' lets a group, or 'bus', of children walk from home to school each morning quickly and safely under the guidance of trained adult supervisors. This takes the support of parents and dedicated volunteers.

Program Objectives

Increase daily physical activity for children and adults.
Increase safety for pedestrians in the neighborhood.
Reduce traffic in and around the neighborhood and school.
Decrease crime when more people are outside keeping an eye on their neighborhood.
Increase community cohesion by helping neighbors get to know one another.
Increase child safety

These are just a few of the goals we can reach with walking buses.

The walking bus is the perfect alternative to school age children walking alone along busy roads and highways. I am looking to form a group that is willing to explore this and other possible solutions to our children’s safety needs. This is one of many possible answers to our children’s’ transportation question. I have approached Isanti County Active Living by Design and School District 911 for their support in this project. Both are excited and interested in solving this problem. With the help and support of parents, volunteers and the school district we can improve the safety of our children.

If you would like more information please contact George Wimmer at 763-444-7158, george.wimmer@genesiswireless.us or Cindy Weiss at cwdistvolcoor@juno.com, 763-444-9310.

here is the web link...http://www.iwalktoschool.org/