International Walk to School Day: October 6, 2010
 
Children's safety when walking to and from school is a big concern for parents, educators and the children.  Messages on how to safe walk safely to school cannot be repeated too frequently.
 
We thought that you would find these resources on safe walking, along with a "Tips for Safe Walking to School" list, helpful.
 
On-line Resources:

1 - The Robert Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity is hosting a five-part webinar series for the Keep Kids Moving program.

The first webinar on Thursday Sept. 23, 2:00 pm, entitled "Hide and Seek: Where is Your School and How Do You Get There?" places the safety issue of walking to school within a broader context:  "Safe routes to school and school siting guidelines within the framework of broader sustainable community development will be discussed during this webinar. Experts will also offer effective tactics for community leaders, schools, and parents to help more children safely walk and bicycle to school."  There is no charge to register for this webinar series.
 
2 - The Safety Section of the  resource page has several K-8 curriculums on Biking and Walking. 

Here is an example from Vermont:  Health and Learning

3 - The Safe Routes to School site has K-6 lesson plans that links to the Marin County, CA safety resources item at the web page above.  Here is an example: "The Walk Around the Block (2nd grade). The course is a kinesthetic follow-on of street crossing situations and the lessons learned in Stop! Look! Listen! Under supervision of adults, students will practice a safe mid-block crossing (with parked cars), learn about edges such as blind driveways/pathways, and practice safely crossing at intersections and crosswalks. Students will observe drivers' behavior and demonstrate their eye contact/communication skills with drivers.  Download the pdf ."

4 - Safe Kids USA
 
5 - The Center for Disease Control
 
6 - American Academy of Pediatrics

"Tips for Safe Walking To School"
- Remind area drivers to be alert for children
- Adult leaders may want to carry a cell phone in case of an emergency
- Take a practice walk on the planned route
- Identify and fix sidewalk and road hazards
- Remind children to try to eat a balanced breakfast
- Teach Children Pedestrian & Biking skills
- Review "Stop, Look & Listen" basics
- Walk on the sidewalk, facing the traffic
- Bike on the right, with the traffic
- Stay to the left if there is no sidewalk
- Cross only when the street is clear
- Walk.  Don't run.
- Cross in the crosswalk.
- Know and obey traffic signals and signs
- Know and use biking hand signals
- Wear reflective clothing accessories, especially on rainy or cloudy days, and in evening hours
 - Wear comfortable shoes
- Wear bright colored clothing that is visible and suited for the weather
- Wear a helmet for biking any distance
- Make sure that any drivers see you.  Make eye contact, if possible.
- Be careful at driveways. Stop. Stay clear of the driveway and let the car pass, if it is moving.
- Avoid walking through parking lots
- Cross more than 10 feet away and always in front of buses
- Use the Buddy System: Walk in pairs or groups
 
 
Please contact Eugenia Marks at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island to share your Walk to School event program details with us and to find out how the Audubon Society of Rhode Island can contribute to making your event a success.
 
Nine Rhode Island Schools are registered for October 6 and a dozen others have events planned.  If you have not already done so, please register your school's event online at HERE.
 
The Coalition for Transportation Choices, Safe Routes to School program, and Audubon thank you for your efforts to make students safe as they walk or bike to school.