EcoSuperior Environmental Programs

Active & Safe Routes to School

print friendly version
become a fan! get EcoNews
Download the latest EcoNews bulletin and find out what is impacting your community and how you can help.

"Research suggests that while 68% of Canadian children live within a 30 minute walk from their school, only 36% walk as a rule". 

- Active & Safe Routes to School Resource Guide

This program promotes the use of active and efficient transportation for the daily trip to school, addressing health and traffic safety issues while taking action on air pollution and climate change.  You can choose to participate in any aspect of the Active & Safe Routes to School program.  We are here to help you along the way. 
Contact Heather at 807-624-2147 or by email here . 

Benefits include: image


  • increased daily physical activity
  • promotion of social interaction
  • reduced traffic congestion near the school
  • reduced air pollution in school area
  • greater sense of community
  • fun!



What can your school do?

These school programs are provided in conjunction with our partners at Green Communities Canada and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. 

Local Participation:

image

Clean Air Day Celebration! 

Spring into Spring and Walk with the Mayor!

 



Mayor Lynn Peterson led the celebration of Clean Air Day by guiding a walk around Holy Cross School.  School staff and students participated in the Active & Safe Routes to School challenge to "Spring into Spring" and protect the air we breathe.  Thunder Bay schools were invited to take the Earth Week to Clean Air Day challenge by encouraging students and parents to choose active modes of transportation for travelling to and from school. Holy Cross School was selected to participate in this special celebration.  Walking, cycling and rollerblading are all great options for active transportation!  Let's all Spring into Spring!   

 








Ecole Gron Morgan School Walks with Wolfie on Winter Walk Day!
image

Winter Walk Day was celebrated with the Lakehead University ThunderWolves mascot, Wolfie. 

All schools participating in a Winter Walk Day event were entered in a local draw.  Ecole Gron Morgan School celebrated with a walking event during the school day.  Students and staff walked along a set route and hosted a celebration in the gym following.  Winter Walk Day is celebrated every year, to remind us of the benefits of walking to school, even in the colder winter months.  It's winter!  Don't hibernate...walk to school and celebrate!





International Walk to School Day:

Saint Bernard School Walks to School with the Mayor! image



Saint Bernard School won the International Walk to School Day "Walk with the Mayor".  All schools registered to participate in iWALK day were entered in a local draw.  The winning school, Saint Bernard, hosted a school-wide walk to school on October 8, 2009.  The students, parents and staff met at a designated area and walked, wheeled and rolled together to school.  Some students that regularly traveled by school bus were even dropped off at the meeting place to allow them to participate in the walk.  Many schools are encouraging parents to park a few blocks away from school and walk the remaining distance with their students.  This action allows for physical activity and also helps to decrease traffic congestion (also increasing safety) and reduce air pollution in the immediate school area.  The iWALK event was also recognized in the Canada Walks Walkolution newsletter  (see left hand side of page 4). 
Congratulations Saint Bernard School!






Page last updated on Tuesday, June 08, 2010