Walking School Bus Provides Lonsdale Students a Safe Route to School and Much More

Lonsdale Walking School Bus map

While preparing for International Walk to School Day last October, Susan Bryant, Project Grad Campus Manager for Lonsdale Elementary, had a brainstorm. Little did she know that her idea to grow the annual event would lead a group of students all the way to Downtown Knoxville to meet with Mayor Madeline Rogero!

Lonsdale is one of the most walkable communities in Knoxville with its existing system of parks and sidewalks, and it already has a large number of students who walk to school. But faculty and staff wanted to find a way for more kids to enjoy International Walk to School Day. Bryant had the idea to set up four drop-off points so kids who are normally driven to school could join the walkers. The event was a huge success and has led to the Walking School Bus program that will kick off this fall.

A walking school bus is a group of students who walk together to school along a designated route under the supervision of an adult. The adult?a parent or community member who commits to supervising the group each morning?ensures that the bus makes its stops and arrives at school on time and safely.

Right now there are 45 students registered for Londsdale's three routes that were piloted last spring, and the school expects to see that number grow to more than 70 when adult leaders are found for three additional routes this fall. Families in the program receive a map showing all six routes and time points, as well as neighborhood landmarks like the recreation center and Safe Places locations. The map, produced by MPC's Information Services staff, is kid-friendly with bright colors, an unusual fold, safety tips, and instructions to sign-up for the program.

The students themselves were key to the successful design of the program. The Safe Routes to School Leadership Group?all students? provided insight on engaging their classmates; they helped plot the routes and determine time points; they brainstormed the initial map design; and they learned a valuable lesson about being a leader and affecting change in their community. When meeting with Mayor Rogero to present the results of the pilot program, the students seized the moment to ask for more crosswalks and signs along their routes to school. And they got them!

Liliana Burbano of the Knox County Health Department worked closely with the students and found it to be a gratifying experience. "It's amazing to see how kids understand that personal decisions help individuals have better health, but there are also community choices that help us all have a healthier place to live, play, thrive and enjoy," remarked Burbano.

The Walking School Bus program, a part of Safe Routes to School, is administered by the Knox County Health Department and funded by a grant from the State of Tennessee.

Posted 8-08-2012, written by Sarah Powell