A Walking School Bus is a group of 5-10 children who are accompanied by one or more adult Leaders on their walks to school. Usually, the children live near one another, so the adult Volunteer Leader will walk the group through the neighborhood, picking up students at designated "Walk Stops." The program is very popular and effective with elementary age children (K-5).
Walking School Bus programs are common in England and New Zealand, and in a number of U.S. cities - for example, Chicago and Atlanta.
What are the benefits of the Walking School Bus program?
The Walking School Bus program provides a safe, consistent system in which children can walk under the supervision of adults - either parents or other adult mentors. A Walking School Bus program increases safe passage of students who already walk, and encourages additional students to walk, introducing them to an important and easy form of exercise.
Walking to school is a seamless way for kids to achieve the 30-60 minutes of physical activity they need each day to maintain a healthy weight. It reduces automobile traffic, particularly near schools during drop-off and pick-up times, and thereby increases pedestrian safety and reduces air pollution. It strengthens communities by getting families to work together for a common good. It introduces children to an increasing number of caring adults. It is an activity that is greatly enjoyed by students and parents.
How do I sign my child up for the Walking School Bus program?
This semester, Columbia's Walking School Bus program is operating at seven public elementary schools:
Blue Ridge
Fairview
Grant
Lee
Ridgeway
Russell Blvd.
West Blvd.
If your child attends one of these schools, download the Walking School Bus brochure, complete the registration/parental permission form, and submit it. Brochures are also available in the school offices and there will be a Walking School Bus table at special events such as "Back to School Night."
Even if you live far from school, your child may still be able to participate in the program if you can drop him/her off at a pre-arranged "Staging Post," where the Walking School Bus Leader will meet the children and walk with them to school.
For more information, please contact Margy Tonnies at pednet@pednet.org or 573-864-2556.
How do I apply to be a Walking School Bus Volunteer Leader?
The Walking School Bus Leader is the responsible adult who leads a team of children on their daily walk to school. Generally, two qualified Walking School Bus Leaders will be assigned to share a route of about 1.0 mile, and given a schedule for picking up the 5-10 children living along that route.
The Leader will call each family to confirm the child's participation in the program, let the family know the pick-up time and location, and answer any questions the family may have. The two Leaders will then work out a rotation for who will lead the walk on each day. If the designated Leader is sick, the first substitute should be the other Leader for the same route, if available. It will be important for the Walking School Bus Leaders to be punctual and thoroughly reliable.
Because Walking School Bus Leaders will be responsible for groups of children, all applicants must be 21 years of age or older, and agree to a criminal background check. All candidates must also attend a Walking School Bus Volunteer Leader Training Session. A packet of information will be provided to each Leader describing program policies on children's behavior, cancellation due to bad weather, etc. and including games and activities to make the walk more fun for the kids. Walking School Bus Leaders will also be required to keep attendance records and report to PedNet's Walking School Bus Coordinator once a week.
At the end of the program, all Walking School Bus Leaders will be invited to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Awards Dinner.
For more information about the program, please contact Margy Tonnies at pednet@pednet.org or 573-864-2556.
Contents: