Establishing a Walking School Bus
Parents, community members, teachers, and school administrators can easily organize a Walking School Bus Program in a few simple steps!
- Step 1: Promote and Recruit Support
- Step 2: Develop Policies and Procedures
- Step 3: Plan Routes
- Step 4: Register Students, Train Volunteers, Prepare School & Community
- Step 5: Start Your Engine!!
- Keep the Bus Walking
Step 1: Promote and Recruit Support
Promote a Walk to School Day Event
The best way to promote the idea of a walking school bus is to hold a Walk to School Day event. The event serves as a great way to spark interest and get the attention of school officials, parents, and community.
If you are a parent or community member, please talk to the school principal about the idea. After you have administrative approval from the school district, then you can work to promote and recruit others.
If you are a principal or teacher look to partner with the PTA/PTO to promote the program.
Recruit Support
A successful Walking School Bus has a number of volunteers willing to contribute to different program needs. Consider the following partners as you recruit help.
- Parents
- Teachers
- Grandparents
- Older Students (High school)
- Police
- Local Businesses
- Senior Citizen Groups (e.g. AARP)
- Civic Organizations (e.g. Rotary, Lions Club)
Templates
- Get Involved – Walking School Bus Form
- Letter to Parents
- Parent Transportation Questionnaire
- Letter to Community Leader
- Walking School Bus Driver Information Form
Step 2: Develop Policies and Procedures
To keep the Walking School Bus rolling smoothly, consider the following for your policies and procedures.
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Determine who makes executive decisions regarding the Walking School Bus operations
- Assign an individual to coordinate the volunteer "drivers"
- Assign an individual to coordinate and communicate with the school and parents
- Consider assigning a separate sub-committee to arrange special events and incentives
- Clearance for "Drivers" and Identification
- The school district can provide forms to complete necessary background checks through the state
- Driver Identification Badges are recommended. Email PANA at info@panaonline.org to request the Walking School Bus Driver ID badge template
- Substitute Drivers
- Assign substitute drivers for routes
- Substitutes can be scheduled as part of the Walking School Bus Driver Roster
- Parental Consent
- Attendance
- Student attendance on the walking school bus is recorded and submitted upon arrival/departure of the walking school bus
- Attendance Template
- Student Behavior
- Emergency/Accident Policy
- Other items to consider:
- Weather-related policies
- Communication methods/ Cancellations, Updates, etc
Step 3: Plan Routes
Plan the designated safe walking routes:
Working with the school transportation officials and local government, obtain a map of the 1-2 mile radius around the school.
Segment the map into 2-4 routes based on the student population and safety of streets leading to school.
Map each route, designating the location and times for pick-up and drop-off sites. You may wish to use a Walkability Checklist to assess route safety.
Assign adult volunteers (drivers) for each walking route.
Note: The size of your Walking School Buses is up to the planning committee, school administration, and local safety officials. Many Walking School Buses keep a ratio of one adult to every five students.
Once the routes are designed, have a volunteer walk the route to make sure the stop times and distances are appropriate.
Work with the local police to review the safety of each route and plan for traffic enforcement during Walking School Bus times!
Once routes are approved, Walking School Bus yard signs can help mark the way!
Step 4: Register Students, Train Volunteers, and Prepare School & Community
After you have your Walking School Bus plans on place, it's time to register student walkers and train volunteers.
Register Students
Send a parent consent form home for students who live within the boundaries of the designated walking routes. Parent Consent Form Template
Train your volunteers
Hold a training session in partnership with local safety officials. Discuss volunteer responsibilities as drivers, review pedestrian safety laws, and provide Walking School Bus Program guidelines.
Make sure all volunteers are familiar with emergency, weather, and substitution policies. Take this time to hand out route rosters and supplies such as identification badges, vests, signs, etc.
Prepare the school and community for the start of the Walking School Bus
- Hang posters in the school and around the community
- Place yard signs at Walking School Bus stops or along walking routes
- Send letters to parents with their child's bus stop pick up/drop off time (Include Code of Conduct, Passenger Pledge, Contact Information, etc.).
- Confirm volunteers and ensure each has the necessary equipment
- Plan to celebrate or recognize the walkers at school
- Send out press announcements
Make the community aware of the need to exercise extra caution while driving during the Walking School Bus operation!
Step 5: Start Your Engine!
Make an event out of your Walking School Bus Program kick off!
- Post Yard Signs designating safe walking routes
- Give participating students stickers and zipper pulls
- Ask local businesses to decorate store fronts
- Invite parents, the community and the media to walk along
- Visit Ways to Celebrate for more ideas!
Keep the Bus Walking
This Bus runs off of enthusiasm rather than gas! Keep the bus interesting for both students and volunteers.
- Hold special events or them days for the Walking School Bus
- Dress the color of your route day: if your routes are identified by colors, encourage students to dress the color of their bus name
- Ask local businesses to donate healthy snacks on occasion
- Reward "frequent walkers" with privileges such as "Assistant Driver For a Day"
- Apply for grants or ask for sponsors to support items for the Walking School Bus such as safety vests, umbrellas, or ponchos
Don't forget to THANK your volunteers!
- Offer coffee or water at the end of their walk to school in the morning
- Host a monthly breakfast for volunteers
- Nominate extraordinary volunteers for local community service awards
Keep the routes safe and up to date!
- Conduct an annual Walkability Checklist to ensure safety and/or identify areas for improvement.
- Run new registration for the Walking School Bus Program at the end of the school year, allowing yourself time to plan new routes over the summer break.
