Safe Routes to School - For Teachers
Here are a few ideas on how to bring SRTS into the classroom:
Collect data
- Conduct a student tally to see how students get to and from school.
- Tally the number of cars, buses, pedestrians, bicyclists utilize the road.
- Tally how many pedestrians cross at a crosswalk.
- Use a speed reader or speed feedback sign to log how fast drivers are going.
Conduct a walking audit with students
- Have students walk around the school and document their comfort level. What did they like? Not like? What areas felt pedestrian friendly?
- A walk audit can be modified and conducted online. Below are classroom materials to conduct a virtual walk audit.
Virtual Walk Audit Classroom Materials
courtesy of Ulupono Initiative, Blue Planet, and Blue Zones Project
Download Power Point presentation for instructors to present to students
Handbook for Middle School Students – 8 page booklet with instructions on how to do a virtual walk audit.
Handbook for High School Students – 8 page booklet with instructions on how to do a virtual walk audit.
Start a traffic safety campaign at the school
- Have students identify traffic issues at the school, create their own safety campaign, and publicize it within the school and the neighborhood board.
- Designate one week of the year to traffic safety.
- Create educational materials such as flyers, videos, or a performance to show to students and parents.
Design and install a mural
- Coordinate with DTS on identifying a viable location for a mural. Possible locations may be within existing curb extensions or electrical boxes.
- Have students design the mural in conjunction with a local artist.
- Have students present the mural design to the Neighborhood Board and City departments.
- Schools must adopt the maintenance of the mural once the artwork is complete.