The following is a press release from RiverStone Health:
To enhance overall youth health, safety and physical activity rates, the Yellowstone County Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Committee is launching a toolkit for use by schools, parent network and community partners.
The new SRTS toolkit provides low-cost strategies that generate excitement for walking, biking and rolling to school. The toolkit includes active transportation education, tips for establishing weekly walking or biking groups and a guide for hosting Walk, Bike and Roll Days throughout the school year.
“Billings Public Schools is excited to partner with the Yellowstone County Safe Routes to School Committee,” said Billings Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Erwin Garcia. “This partnership promotes safety and the wellbeing of our students.”
SRTS efforts are led, supported and sustained by various groups, including schools, parent networks, neighborhood task forces and community partners.
At Highland Elementary School in Billings, the school and its parent network has sustained multiple walking, biking and rolling efforts, and continues to receive positive feedback from students and families.
“Highland is so lucky to have an active Walking School Bus community,” said Jordan Teller, a Highland Elementary parent and SRTS Committee member.
“Kids feel safe and confident, they meet other neighborhood kids, their brains are activated and ready to learn when they arrive at school, and there are fewer kids that are absent when they have a safe way to get to school. We've made great memories on our Walking School Bus route in all seasons of the year,” said Teller.
The SRTS Committee is available to assist schools, parent networks or community groups seeking to improve the health and safety of Yellowstone County students.
Yellowstone County Safe Routes to School efforts date back to the 1990s, when missing sidewalks were first identified as barriers to students walking, biking, or rolling to school. Recent milestones include updated school walking maps and Safe Routes to School Plan updates identifying transportation barriers and potential physical environment improvements.
The Yellowstone County SRTS Committee is a collaboration between RiverStone Health, Billings Public Schools, the City of Billings Planning Division, Billings Metropolitan Transit (MET), United Way of Yellowstone County, Parent Teacher Organizations and community partners.
To learn more, visit yellowstonecountysaferoutestoschool.org, or contact the YC SRTS Committee at 406-247-3394.