Community problems & solutions

Background

Unlike many of the surrounding schools, Gove Elementary in Belle Glade, Fla., is confronted with unique challenges to implement its Safe Routes to School program. Gove Elementary is a Title 1 school in a rural area with many of its students coming from migrant working families. The constant infux and outfow of students can be challenging for teachers, staff and the students. Despite these challenges, Gove Elementary has achieved success in promoting safety and wellness both in the school and in the community.

The GAO released a report in July (GAO-08-789) evaluating the first two years of the federal Safe Routes to School program. To view the full report, please browse to www.gao.gov/new.items/d08789.pdf.

Registration is open for 2008 International Walk to School, an international event where communities from over 40 countries join together to walk and bicycle to school. Walk to School Day is October 8, 2008. The National Center for Safe Routes to School serves as the national coordinating agency for Walk to School activities in the U.S.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School is sponsoring the 112th Annual PTA National Convention & Exhibition that will take place in San Diego, California June 20 – June 23, 2008. NCSRTS will also have an exhibit booth at the conference to distribute information and materials to PTA members on Safe Routes to School and International Walk to School Month.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School offers SRTS programs a downloadable parent survey to assist in the evaluation of their program activities. This survey asks for information about what factors affect whether parents allow their children to walk or bike to school, the presence of key safety-related conditions along routes to school and related background information. The survey results will help determine how to improve opportunities for children to walk or bike to school, and measure parental attitude changes as local SRTS programs occur.

Safe Routes Snapshots provides a brief profile of a Safe Routes to School state or local program that highlights a particular success or issue the program faced. To submit your program for Safe Routes Snapshots, please email news@saferoutesinfo.org.

The National Center has released the 2007 Walk to School Event Organizer Survey Findings and Recommendations. The report provides a brief background on Walk to School events in the U.S. and summarizes findings from a survey conducted of Walk to School event organizers. The report also contains recommended actions that would likely strengthen future events and increase capacity and demand for SRTS programs.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School continues to offer free SRTS-related Webinars through its partnership with America Walks. The next topic in the Webinar series will be:

"Who Cares About Safe Routes? How to Make the Case in Your Community"

Presented by Kit Keller and Linda Tracy, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
April 29, 2008 at 2PM EST

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has released new resources to assist local communities in evaluating their Safe Routes to School programs. The Center has launched the Evaluation section within the SRTS Guide available at www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/evaluation.