Walking School Bus (WSB)

It has only taken 12 years, but Principal O’Leary’s ask for a walking school bus is starting to take shape! What is a WSB? It is a safe and fun way for students to get exercise as they travel to school. Each “bus” walks along a set route with 1-2 adult volunteers informally picking up children along a designated route and walking them to school. Why a WSB?

• Forming healthy habits can last a lifetime!
• Walking reduces air pollution
• Less traffic congestion at drop-off, less stress in the morning rush and happier neighbors benefit all
• Morning exercise can lead to better focus and learning
• It’s fun!

How will this work? Our preliminary plan, depending on interest and parent volunteers, is to create 4 safe routes starting about a mile from the school. These 4 routes will ideally be along designated safe or low-traffic streets to the N, S, E and W of school.

• We will start with morning WSB with the hope of adding afternoons eventually
• This will be in the model of a “group walk” with students joining along the route
• Families that live too far to walk will have the option to park and drop off kids at TBD designated spot along the route
• Incentives will be created for students who participate regularly

What’s next? If you are interested in joining the St. John WSB, we need some information. This will help us gauge interest, plan routes, create a team of volunteers and get walking! Please email Anne Egleston at awegleston@gmail.com with the following information:

• Your address
• If you think your kids would walk or you would drive and drop off at a designated spot
• If you would be willing to volunteer to walk and if so, which days
• Anything else you think we should know at this planning stage