It isn’t too early to start planning your Walk and Bike to School Day festivities! This year, the international celebration to encourage students to walk and bike to school falls on Wednesday, October 6.
As in years past, the Safe Routes Ambassadors will be hosting one flagship event at a lucky elementary school in Chicago! At the flagship school, the Ambassadors will provide event planning support, giveaways and safety education on the day of the event. If you would like to nominate your school to host the Ambassadors, please take a minute to fill out the form here.
The Safe Routes Ambassadors received a total of 27 nominations for 13 individuals to receive letters of commendation and certificates of appreciation. These awards were handed out in the week following Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which was May 4th, 2010.
Stay tuned for next year’s celebration…. In the meantime, thank your crossing guard every day, and get geared up for International Walk and Bike to School Day!
You can register your event here, and a form will be available soon to indicate interest in hosting the Safe Routes Ambassadors as the 2010 flagship school.
Each year, the Safe Routes Ambassadors host an event at one lucky school in Chicago, helping to coordinate, bring attention to, and support the school’s walking and biking efforts! Flagship schools in years past include:
Kmart, Safe Routes Ambassadors to host safety events
On May 1, in celebration of National Bike Month, various Kmart stores in the Chicagoland area will be hosting bike safety events in conjunction with Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors, educating parents and their children on safe riding skills.
The events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature Kmart representatives, trained by Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors, to provide information on safe riding skills, proper bike helmet fittings and much more. Each store will also feature a sweepstakes to win a children’s bike.
The partnership between Kmart and Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors is part of an ongoing program at Kmart called Project Renaissance, a national re-launching of the Kmart brand. Through this 12-week program, stores host various family friendly events and promotions that are tailored to the customers and the surrounding community.
Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors are the Chicago Department of Transportation’s pedestrian and bicycle safety outreach team. The program provides free in-class education to students in Chicago schools and traffic safety outreach at community events.
Crossing Guard Appreciation Day is almost upon us! Nominate your favorite crossing guard here, to be recognized and awarded a Certificate of Appreciation, hand-delivered by Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors! This form will be open through the end of April, and we’ll be starting deliveries and celebrations on May 4th!
Crossing guards play an important role in the safety of children walking to and from school. Their presence and hard work help to make the trip to school safer, encouraging more students to feel comfortable walking to school more often.
By celebrating Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, we thank our crossing guards for a year of tireless work to keep our children safe!
Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors are Chicago’s pedestrian and bicycle safety outreach team. We meet with thousands of Chicago students each year, teaching kids about safe walking and biking behavior, talking about the benefits of active transportation, and helping communities implement Safe Routes to School activities.
The Safe Routes Ambassadors are a free city service through the Chicago Department of Transportation, and are available to visit any elementary school in Chicago.
Services offered by the Safe Routes Ambassadors:
In-class Presentations
The Safe Routes Ambassadors teach pedestrian safety to second graders and bicycle safety to fifth graders using an interactive, skills-based method. Lessons are based on Illinois State Learning Objectives and encourage students to realize the many benefits of active transportation.
On-foot Training
After hosting an in-class safety presentation, a school may schedule an on-foot workshop with the Ambassadors. During this outdoor workshop, second graders practice their street-crossing skills, building on concepts learned in the first lesson. Fifth grade workshops involve outdoor observation of traffic followed by a discussion of traffic safety.
Workshops for School Organizers
There are many ways your school community can organize Safe Routes to School activities. The Safe Routes Ambassadors would be happy to meet with your school’s PTA, LSC, or community group to discuss the possibilities!
Teacher Resources
Visit the Tools for Educators section of Safe Routes to School for lesson plans, worksheets, games, and ideas on how to incorporate transportation, health, and environmental issues into classroom instruction.
Request/Contact Information:
To request the Safe Routes Ambassadors for an in-class presentation, click on “Request the Ambassadors!”, fill out the form and fax to the Program Coordinator at 312-742-2422.
To request the Safe Routes Ambassadors for a different workshop, or for assistance starting a Safe Routes to School program in your community, contact the Program Coordinator directly by phone or by email (click on “Contact” for the most up-to-date contact information!).
