Walking School Bus for Students

Physical and Environmental Benefits of Walking to School

Sep 17, 2007 Debbie DeSpirt

Schools are getting kids active with the walking school bus. The walking school bus is a green initiative to encourage students and parents to walk to school.

Congestion at the school parking lot is immense the first 15 minutes before and after school. Students are dropped off in the family car and most live within 15 minutes of the school. The number of students walking to school have declined over the years because of safety and convenience.

In 1992, David Engwicht proposed the idea of the walking school bus. His goal was to reduce congestion on the roads, get kids active and to give kids a sense of independence. Walking school bus became an international green initiative. However, most schools have adopted only 2 of his goals: to get kids active and to reduce the morning and after school car volume.

What is a Walking School Bus?

A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school being supervised by one or more parents.

Create a Walking School Bus at Your School

Walking school bus models to students the importance of walking. Today, many students are overweight because of their sedentary lifestyles. Walking is a great physical workout in the morning for students and parents. As well, students and parents are socializing which connects the community.

In addition, the walking school bus is creating a greener environment. With less cars on the road, there are less pollutants in the air, and this allows our kids to breathe better.

Benefits of Walking

Health Benefits

• Managing weight
• Lower stress lives
• Reduce Depression
• Strengthen muscles, joints and bones
• Improve sleep
• Sense of well being

Environmental Benefits

• Reduce air pollution
• Reduce traffic congestion
• Lower transportation costs

Join a Walking School Bus

Some schools have already begun this initiative while others have not. The options are to join a preexisting walking school bus or start your own. In the infancy stage, begin with a small walking school bus and increase its size over the course of the year. In the beginning two families is enough for a walking school bus and as you meet more children and parents during your walk, invite them to join.

Another option is to get the school involved in the initiative. Encourage the school or the parent council to begin a walking school bus as they have access to the whole school community.

Operation of the Walking School Bus

Some parents will be able to operate the walking school bus every school day while others may only participate one morning a week. Operate the walking school bus as often as possible based on your individual community needs. As well, as more walking school buses are created there will be less need of parent volunteers and your involvement will be less if needed.

Walking School Bus and the Weather

Today, weather plays a factor in the number of cars dropping students at school. Rain, snow, hail, or sun should not be a factor in the walking school bus. Parents and teachers can model to students to walk in all different types of weather conditions. Weather in Southern Ontario changes quickly but it should not dictate my outdoor excursions. Rather with proper clothing kids and parents should appreciate the different weather and walking experiences.

Environmental Lesson Plans

Discuss the effects our footprints on the earth and how it will affect our present and the future. Dependent on the grade, create lessons to encourage students to reduce their footprints on their earth. The walking school bus is only one of many ways to be kinder to the earth. Students may choose to have parents walk them to classmate’s birthday parties or engage in sports close to home. Students will surprise you with their wonderful ideas on reducing their footprints on the earth.

The copyright of the article Walking School Bus for Students in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Debbie DeSpirt. Permission to republish Walking School Bus for Students in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Walking School Bus

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