Safe Routes To School - Engagement

SRTS partners with stakeholders including bike/ped committees, school/district task forces, and local law enforcement officials to promote engagement with the local community to support proper walking and bicycling behaviors are observed and followed in the vicinity of schools.
A picture of school resource crossing guard enhancing the safety of students who walk and bike.

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Safe Routes to School Task Force Resources

A Safe Routes to School (SRTS) taskforce can streamline student transportation planning and help troubleshoot school and parent concerns by enlisting the expertise of school district, municipal, and parent stakeholders. Hosted by an individual school or at a district level, a SRTS taskforce can assist with the following: engineering/infrastructure evaluation and needs; communication and encouragement tasks; student, instructor, and parent/guardian education; procuring and placement of regulatory and informational signage; policy development; walking school bus/bike train formation, establishing park and walk/roll locations; and active transportation event participation.

 

Safe Routes to School Networking Calls

Have you ever been curious to learn more about what other MA Safe Routes to School (SRTS) communities are doing? Now you can! We are excited to provide a new platform where SRTS champions like you can connect to share ideas, troubleshoot problems, brainstorm solutions, learn about new SRTS resources, and grow their networks across the Commonwealth. We plan on holding three calls this school year, with each call focusing on a timely SRTS topic to be discussed within breakout rooms. We encourage municipal staff, school staff, alliance partners, community members, parents/guardians, and anyone else interested in Safe Routes to School to join us for these Networking Calls.

Click here to register for all upcoming network calls (and other events)

First SRTS Networking Call on August 25, 2021 (12:30 PM – 1:15 PM)

  • Topic: Arrival and Dismissal (Click here to view the meeting summary and resources)

Second SRTS Networking Call on November 10, 2021 (1:00 PM – 1:45 PM)

  • Topic: Engaging parents/guardians to help with SRTS programming (Click here to view the meeting summary and resources)

Third SRTS Networking Call on March 16, 2022 (10:00 AM – 10:45 AM)

  • Launching and Sustaining Walking School Buses/Bike Trains and On-Campus SRTS Alternatives (Click here to view the meeting summary and resources)

Crossing Guard Resources

Crossing guards play an important role supporting our families’ safety as they access schools and neighborhoods across the Commonwealth. Our Annual Crossing Guard Appreciation campaign begins with a Crossing Guard of the Year nomination process, followed by Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, and culminates with announcing the Crossing Guard of the Year award winner(s). The winner(s) will also be recognized at our Annual Safe Routes to School Awards Ceremony in June. The overall goal is to draw attention to and honor the hard work of crossing guards across Massachusetts and to recognize those crossing guards who go above and beyond. See below for current contest resources and our Crossing Guard Training Materials

Crossing Guard Appreciation Resources

SRTS Crossing Guard Training Materials

Other Crossing Guard Resources

 

MassDOT Safe Speeds

Keeping people safe on Massachusetts roadways is Massachusetts Department of Transportation's priority. One life lost or altered by a serious injury on any roadway is unacceptable. In Massachusetts and across the US, the speed that people drive can make a big difference on the safety of our roadways. Higher speed increases the risk of a fatal or serious crash and reduces the likelihood of survival. Every mph matters: each 1 mph increase that a person drives can be attributed to a 3% increase in potential loss of life. Safe vehicle speeds make streets better for everyone, whether you are traveling by car, wheelchair, bicycle, stroller, foot, or bus.

MassDOT is committed to helping realize safer speeds across the Commonwealth to prevent serious crashes. Our goal is zero fatalities and serious injuries. Learn more about speed management and resources to implement speed management in your community by visiting the Safe Speeds resource portal: https://www.mass.gov/safe-speeds

Mass General Laws

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