Organize Your Planning Team
In order to host a successful Walk to (or at) School Day event, it’s important to organize a team to assist with planning and execution. An ideal team will consist of six to 10 individuals and must include the principal, at least one parent or member of the PTO/PTA and a local law enforcement representative.
Other core team members to consider include elected city/township/borough staff representative, school district representative, walking or biking advocates and community health professionals (i.e., representatives from local health departments or organizations like American Cancer Society and American Heart Association).
Also remember those individuals who already play an important role in assisting students in their travel to/from school including crossing guards, neighbors, and community watch groups.
Once team members have been recruited, remember the following tips to help ensure uniform involvement by all team members:
- Establish a regular meeting time and day of the week when it’s convenient for most team members to attend
- Ensure everyone receives meeting announcements in a timely fashion (e-mail or personal phone calls work best)
- Set agendas and stick to them
- Make meetings concise and productive
- Start by establishing long-term and short-term planning goals
- Create a list of tasks and a timeline for achieving those tasks
- Hold each team member accountable for completing the tasks he/she has been assigned – have a number of small tasks available for those who have limited time
- Remember, no job is too small and remind team members that even the smallest efforts are greatly appreciated
- End each meeting with a review of task assignments and confirm the next meeting date, time and location
