Congratulations to all who helped to make Walk and Roll to School Day (WR2SD) a huge success. Whether you celebrated on October 9 or another day, we are grateful for your participation in highlighting the importance of safe, active travel.
The event is important because it offers a chance for the community to take notice of the challenges students face on the school commute. The event is also a reminder of the important work we can do together to remove barriers students face when walking, biking, and rolling to school. Most importantly, the event offers an opportunity for communities to celebrate the joy walking and rolling brings to students, neighborhoods, and schools! The wide variety of WR2SD activities that take place across Michigan is inspiring. For example, local mascots participate, and special remote drop sites for cars and walking school buses make for a fun, social event. At this writing, our registration numbers indicate over 25,500 students from across Michigan participated in local registered events at over 145 schools. This event is a highlight for our staff because we get to leave the office and join in on the fun and share our reflections with all of you after the official event day.
Colleen Synk, Senior Operations and Evaluation Coordinator
Bath Elementary and Middle Schools, Bath
Even though this year was the first time Bath held a Walk and Roll to School Day event, they truly walked the walk to put on a standout event. Students meeting at Bath Township Public Library were treated to some delicious treats, and story time if they arrived early. Then families were joined by Pete the Cat and the Bath Fighting Bee to walk to school. The route to school for the event was along a corridor we are excited to see infrastructure improvements coming to soon as part of our Major Grant funding. “The Bath stakeholders I worked with as part of the major grant always kept their local history and context in mind, and that was seen in the programming and details they brought to their first Walk and Roll to School Day event.”
Max Fulkerson, Director Program Coordinator
Marble Elementary, East Lansing
Clear skies and crisp fall air greeted the students, parents, and teachers of Marble Elementary, in East Lansing, as they arrived at school for Walk and Roll to School Day. At first, it was barely a trickle, a few teachers with their own kids, arriving to school early. Greg Spencer, the school’s crossing guard, greeted them by name and stopped traffic for them to cross the street, as he has been doing for 17 years. Greg expressed that he was happy to see students walking and biking to school and noted to each of them that their commute produced zero emissions and was helping to save the planet. The students came on foot, riding bikes, one-wheels, rollerblades, and roller skates. Some students were part of a walking school bus led by teachers and volunteers, while others traveled in smaller groups with parents, siblings, and friends. Pretty soon there were too kids many to count. Despite the numbers, the arrival was not as chaotic as you might expect. The school district received a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Major Grant for a 2022 project, which included sidewalks, and enhanced pedestrian crossings with refuge islands and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB). It was apparent that pedestrian safety education was a part of the school’s SRTS program because the students knew how to use the facilities to safely cross the busy streets. These facilities made the students’ journeys safer, more convenient, and enjoyable. Then, as suddenly as it had started, it was over. The students went inside to start their day and the few remaining parents retraced their steps to return home or go to work. Many of the students will continue using active transportation to get to school as long as the weather permits and Greg will be there to help them stay safe.
Adam Jenks, Senior Contracts and Data Coordinator
David Scott Elementary, DeWitt
Students at Scott Elementary in DeWitt were greeted by sunny morning skies and smiling teachers as they participated in Walk & Roll to School Day 2024. Many of the students walked with their parents and in some cases rolled in on bicycles.
Bus riders were not excluded from the event as they were also able to join in the festivities. Bus routes were shortened to drop off in a nearby neighborhood, where teachers and staff waited for their arrival. From the remote drop-off site, students walked in a large caravan, with local law enforcement watching over intersections where the route crossed. Students later received WR2SD stickers and illuminated bracelets that will help light their way as the mornings begin to darken through the fall.
Scott Elementary regularly participates in not only WR2SD, but Bike & Roll to School Day as well. These events elevated physical activity within the community and led to the schools receiving major and mini SRTS grants in the past. All these efforts have been made for sustained safe and active transportation in DeWitt!
If you have yet to host a Walk and Roll to School Day event this month and need assistance with planning or have any questions about how to plan the event, contact Erin Paskus for assistance. Our next event is Bike and Roll to School Day on May 7. We hope you’ll help us make this event a success too. Registration will open March 7.