Westhaven Walking Bus

Published June 24, 2010

Some of the students attending Pearre Creek Elementary School will get to be part of a new walking bus program.
The program will give students living in the Westhaven subdivision the opportunity to walk to school in an organized group with adult chaperones.

It's part of a community-led effort to provide children with a safe and healthy alternative to the traditional school bus.

"The walking bus creates a reliable system for getting students to school," said co-founder Sara Barnard. "We think a walking bus will be an important addition to the Westhaven community."

The Westhaven Walking Bus will operate several safe walking routes twice daily. Each route will be staffed by two volunteers, one who will remain at the front of the line and one at the rear. There will be scheduled bus stops at specific times to pick up and drop off children. Like a bus, it will operate come rain or shine.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School awarded Westhaven a $1,000 mini-grant in May. That money will be used to purchase safety vests and conduct volunteer training. In addition, each chaperone will have to undergo a background check to ensure safety.

Organizers say each route will have designated theme days each week. Students will help plan activities and discussion topics along the route to school. They will also be able to track their cumulative mileage online and use the miles they walk for a virtual journey - like walking the perimeter of Mars or trekking across the Grand Canyon.

Pearre Creek Principal Beth Ferguson says the walking bus will be a great addition to the school. "Programs like this allow students to have fun, participate in physical activity and foster healthy habits at an early age," said Ferguson.

The Westhaven Walking Bus is current accepting applications for both passengers and volunteers (occasional, part-year or full-year commitment options available). Applications may be made online at http://westhavenwalkingbus.com.