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
- 2023 Crossing Guard Nomination Form
- Crossing Guard Flyer – English
- Crossing Guard Flyer – Spanish
- Crossing Guard Flyer – Portuguese
- Crossing Guard Flyer – Haitian Creole
- Crossing Guard Thank You Card
SRTS Crossing Guard Training Materials
- Crossing Guard Training Presentation - English
- Crossing Guard Training Presentation - Spanish
- Crossing Guard Instructor Training Notes - English
- Crossing Guard Instructor Training Notes - Spanish
- Crossing Guard Resource Guide - English
- Crossing Guard Resource Guide - Spanish
- Crossing Guard Training Video - English
- Crossing Guard Training Video - Spanish
Other Crossing Guard Resources
- EOPSS Traffic Safety Grants
- Complete Streets Funding Program
- Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
- SRTS Guide
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