The Safe Routes Partnership is hosting a series of listening sessions for our Safe Routes community to connect and share what changes have occurred in your programs over the past year. We're seeking input from Safe Routes to School practitioners, caregivers, advocates, and volunteers who are willing to participate in one of four listening sessions, which will be scheduled in late February and early March.
The Problem
Kamali’i is a dead-end street in the rear of Kilauea School in Kauai, Hawaii. Although “No School Drop Off” signs are posted clearly on the gate and reiterated through newsletters, personal requests, and various other methods, parents still drop off their children at the back of the school. The issue is that there is no place to safely turn around so cars must backup down the street. It causes chaos, congestion, and unsafe situations for children trying to walk or bike safely to school as well as residents of the street.
Matthew Tobin is a sophomore student in Blauvelt, New York who recently completed the YMCA's Safe Routes to School Student Ambassador Program. Matthew's project focused on improving the walking paths around his high school and starting a local chapter for Safe Routes to School. He wrote this blog post sharing his reflections about the experience.
This blog post was written by Margaux Mennesson, Marisa Jones, Michelle Lieberman, Margo Pedroso and Cass Isidro.
Over the last several months, the COVID-19 pandemic and protests for racial justice and against police brutality have prompted our team at the Safe Routes Partnership to critically examine many of the systems, strategies, and programs that support Safe Routes.