SUBMITTED
CORRECTION MADE ON FEB. 6
In celebration of ‘Winter Walk Day’—an annual initiative dedicated to promoting walking to school and emphasizing the benefits of active school travel—we are happy to announce that the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario has awarded North Grenville $8,000 through the Road Safety Community Partnership Program. This funding will support the next phase of the “North Grenville Way” project, which encourages students and their families to embrace active, safe, and sustainable modes of travel for part of, or their entire journey to school.
The initiative will involve collaboration with community and school partners to promote safe routes to school, including designated walk-a-block locations, Wayfinding signs, and will provide pedestrian safety education for Grade 3 students across North Grenville schools.
“We are excited to build on the momentum from past active school travel projects in North Grenville and to continue our partnerships with the municipality, police, local school transportation consortia, schools, schools boards, and students and families on active school travel in North Grenville,” said Tawnya Boileau, School Health Coordinator of the South East Health Unit (formerly the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit). “This project has the potential to increase the number of students and families who choose to walk or wheel to school. And, reduced emissions and traffic congestion around schools, improvements to student health and well-being, and community safety are just some of the local benefits we anticipate.”
Partnering in this initiative is Ottawa Safety Council’s WalkSafe program, which provides educational resources on pedestrian safety for JK to grade 6 classrooms.
“Safety concerns play a major role in parents’ decisions about letting their children walk or cycle to school,” said Kelly Banks from Ottawa Safety Council. “The Ottawa Safety Council’s WalkSafe program steps in with fun, engaging, and age-appropriate lessons that equip elementary students with the skills and awareness they need to stay safe on their school journeys—even when other road users may be rushed or distracted.”
This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment to providing support, resources, and education towards active and sustainable school transportation in North Grenville. See the North Grenville Active School Travel Charter English and French.
For more information on Active School Travel visit: https://healthunit.org/health-information/physical-activity-rest/active-school-travel/
