Hoof it to school on Oct 3

Students are asked to walk to school, if only for a day. On October 3, 2007, the students at Traverse City West Junior High will have the opportunity to walk to school just like Mom and Dad and did. Forty years ago the national average for children walking to school was nearly 50%, today it is closer to 10% nationally and 3% at West Junior High. A desire to walk was expressed by West Junior High student survey respondents, who indicated that if routes to school were improved, 20% said they would walk and 40% said they might.

What difference will a day make?

Walk to School Day is a kick off for developing an action plan to make improvements to the WJH community and vicinity which will provide a safe environment for walking and biking to school. WJH began working on a Safe Routes to School (SR2S) initiative last school year. The Walk to School Day event is part of the SR2S program. SR2S is a national and international movement to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk or bike to school. WJH has been selected as a pilot middle school/junior high recognized by the State of Michigan's Safe Routes to School program. Funding is available for programs and infrastructure improvements through a federal transportation grant with approximately $16 million available in Michigan. Volunteer for Walk to school day or help work on the Action Plan by calling the school at 933-8260.

How do students walk to WJH?

Students who live close enough to walk or bike will be encouraged to do so on October 3. Students who are regularly bused or driven to school will be encouraged to be dropped off at designated remote drop sites on school property. This way, all students, even the ones who live to far to bike or walk, will get the health benefits of a short walk to the school. Buses will drop students off along the Service Drive. Parents who drive their children to school will be asked to drop them off at the tennis courts. Students dropped off at the remote sites will have volunteers along the route to school to ensure safety.

Why act?

• Currently, WJH students commute to school 60% by bus and 35% by car
• 59% of the students agreed that walking to school is fun and cool
• Do we want more of THIS? ...or THIS?

What's next?

On October 20, the public will be invited to test several routes to and from Traverse City West Junior High (WJH) for walking and biking. The public's involvement on that day to assist the Safe Routes to School team conduct a "walking audit." A walking audit is an exercise that allows parents and community members to see what students experience as they traverse to and from school on foot or by bike. The project's goal is to identify needed improvements along the routes that will make walking and biking to school a safe and viable option for students.