Pierre, S.D., is a rural town with approximately 13,000 residents. One of its local elementary schools, Jefferson Elementary School, has more than 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. In 2003, the Jefferson Elementary Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) wanted to implement a program designed to encourage healthy behavior in the students. The PTA decided that yearly Walk to School Day events would be the best encouragement program for the students.
The National Center was recently featured in a Classroom Resource Guide published by Edutopia, an organization that "provides educators 21st-century strategies, tools, and resources to help children learn." As most Safe Routes to School organizers are involved in education some way or another, we thought this resource may value to many of you and wanted to share this information.
In December 2010, the National Center for Safe Routes to School held its 13th Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Course Instructor Training in Birmingham, Alabama. Eighteen professionals from around the country participated in a week-long training to become SRTS National Course Instructors. To date, over 200 professionals have been trained to be SRTS National Course Instructors.
Tuesday, Feb. 22
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
REGISTER NOW
This free webinar will provide an overview of why it is important to seek law enforcement involvement in Safe Routes to School programs and how to best involve officers in SRTS efforts. The webinar will also provide information about a successful local effort that involves law enforcement in Safe Routes to School.
Walking and biking are two of the easiest ways to be active. The National Center has prepared a new research-based resource that specifically looks at the potential physical activity benefits of a SRTS program and describes strategies for measuring those benefits.
In June, the National Center released a new resource about involving students with disabilities in SRTS programs. This resource is intended to help SRTS organizers include and accommodate children with disabilities in SRTS. It discusses practical strategies for involving students with disabilities in SRTS, and provides examples of schools that have done so effectively.