Walking School Bus
Partnering with schools to make walking to school fun and improve attendance
Get On the Bus!
Healthy Kids Collaborative currently hosts Walking School Bus routes with MMSD partner schools at the following days and times:
Hawthorne (East)
Mondays, 7:10 - 7:50 am
Lake View (North)
Mondays, 7:55 - 8:35 am
Leopold (South/Fitchburg)
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:10 - 7:50 am
Mendota (North)
Wednesdays, 7:10 - 7:50 am
What is a Walking School Bus?
A Walking School Bus is a safe and fun way for groups of children to get to and from school. Each ‘bus’ walks along a set route with one or more trusted volunteers or parents who serve as route leaders to ensure students' safe, on-time arrival to school. Walking school buses are a great opportunity to encourage children to get exercise and connect with peers and caring adults before arriving at school for a healthy breakfast.
The Healthy Kids Collaborative's Safe Routes to School program partners with Dane County elementary schools and local community-based organizations to coordinate and support walking school buses for students and families who are not eligible for school district bus transportation.
Interested in learning more about Walking School Buses? Considering a launching or reviving a walking school bus program at your school? Contact Shawn Koval, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, to receive technical support and thought partnership or visit our Resources tab to access our Walking School Bus Toolkit (coming Summer 2020).
Get involved!
Become a Walking School Bus route leader today!
Route leaders are the backbone of the Walking School Bus program.
We are currently recruiting volunteers to lead routes at one of of the four MMSD community schools for the spring quarter (week of April 6th- week of June 8th, 2020).
Benefits of volunteering for the program include:
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Daily exercise!
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Relationships with kids, other adults who champion community health & wellness
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Recognition in school newsletters & events
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Invitation to Volunteer Thank You lunch
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Free refurbished bicycle (15 + hours)
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Training, ongoing support, and equipment from program staff to make your job easy, fun, and impactful
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Other surprise thank you gifts!
Responsibilities of route leaders include:
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Attending an orientation meet-and-greet session in late March or early April, 2020
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Walking a group of children to school at least once a week
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Following the route and schedule
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Ability to demonstrate and ensure safety, and offer encouragement to students
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Taking attendance and completing route reports after arrival at school
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Having fun!
We host Walking School Buses at 4 MMSD elementary schools. Each school has 2-4 established routes ranging between 0.4 - 1 mile in length each way. Volunteer commitments are approximately 40 minutes per morning, 1-2 days per week depending on volunteer availability.
Hawthorne (East)
Mondays, 7:10 - 7:50 am
Lake View (North)
Mondays, 7:55 - 8:35 am
Leopold (South/Fitchburg)
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:10 - 7:50 am
Mendota (North)
Wednesdays, 7:10 - 7:50 am
* Additional days will be added if we have volunteers who have availability on other mornings not listed above! *
So what are you waiting for? Fill out this short questionnaire to join a walking school bus team near you! Get out there and enjoy spring mornings with others! Help students get exercise and get to school on time! Connect with kids and your community! For additional information, contact Shawn Koval, Safe Routes to School Coordinator.
