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MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.
Thank you everyone for your efforts to make Minnesota’s Walk to School Day a success! Despite the pandemic, we had 153 schools register (and even more participating) around the state. That’s more than North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin combined!
We even had Governor Tim Walz sign a proclamation declaring Oct. 6 as Walk to School Day Creativity for celebrating walking was abundant! Many schools, elected officials, local sports teams, and school mascots to greet walkers in the morning. Other schools were handing out healthy treats or local apples to walkers for a morning snack. Rural schools took a break during class to go for a walk during the day. And remote drop offs for all students to get a walk in before school were the most common way to celebrate Walk to School Day. All fun and easy ways to get kids moving and encourage students to get their steps in every day.
Many of you took photos and posted to social media for the Minnesota Safe Routes to School Walk to School Day photo contest. While we were only able to choose one winner, we were thoroughly impressed by the obvious commitment to walking and bicycling there was throughout MN.
And the winner is…Crossroads Elementary - St Paul Public Schools!
Crossroads Elementary Montessori and Science School celebrated Walk and Bike to School Day with its 500+ students by holding a Bus Stop and Walk event. The event was festive and fun with music, teachers dressed in costumes, and lots of support from parents/caregivers, PTA, St. Paul Fire Department, and the St. Paul Police Department LECPA program.
Second place goes to… Elton Hills Elementary – Rochester Public Schools
This photo captures the energy of Elton Hill School Principal Steven Willman greeting kids as they came through the cross walk for Walk to School Day. Several of the staff were out greeting kids as they came to school to celebrate walking. Parents made comments about parking a few blocks away and walking with their children to be a part of the event, even if their children didn’t live close to school. Kids seemed to enjoy having that extra time with their parents and were happy to be participating as well! Classes throughout the day want outside to walk around the school so all students could participate in celebrating the day!
Third Place goes to…Foley Public Schools
On Oct. 6, 2021, the city of Foley, Benton County Public Health and Foley Public Schools teamed up to host the 5th annual Walk to School Day event, which included 70+ children. The event had two walking school bus locations (on different sides of town) where children could meet up to walk with adults to our common meeting area, the Gustavus Adolphus Church. Children were also encouraged to walk even if they did not meet up at one of the two walking school bus locations. Law enforcement from the Foley Police Department helped children cross Highway 23, which separates many family homes from the schools. The Foley Fire Department was also at the event and even brought one of their fire trucks for children to take a group photo in front of. Others who were at the event included one of our Benton County Commissioners and the Mayor of Foley. The school passed out goodie bags to all of the participants, which included the SRTS zipper pulls, stickers and bookmarks, as well as a water bottle, toothbrush kit, beach ball, crayons and a coloring book. One of the school staff said The Walk to School Day event is a great tradition for Foley Public Schools, which helps children get some energy out before the school day, preparing them for learning.
Thanks for participating, Take a look at some of our other favorite photo submissions, by checking out our facebook page or search the #MNwalks hashtag.
Recent SRTS press release on funding opportunities
MnDOT offers $8 million in grants to schools, communities to develop Safe Routes to School programs
SRTS In the news
Persistence and patience have led to crosswalk changes at Gideon Pond Elementary School in Burnsville, after parents wrote and received a MnSRTS funded demonstration project identified in its Safe Routes to School Plan. New road markings were painted and vertical poles were installed at two crossings on East 130th Street in Burnsville, where the school is located.
After spearheading the project for more than two years, parent Shannon Wohlman was on hand to see the some of the first vehicles go through the crosswalks.
“I went up to just observe and it was just awesome to watch while the cars actually slowed down and paid more attention,” said Wohlman, who will have a pre-kindergartener, a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old at Gideon Pond this year. “I’m really excited to see what the school year is going to bring, because then we will know for sure what it’s going to look like.” Read the full news story here.
Hands-on guide for students to create safe routes
Engaging students is key for engagement and building support for walking and biking. This new engagement guide ‘Place It’ creates fun hands-on activities for students to create safe routes and begin talking about what’s needed for them to move more.
Upcoming events:
Nov. 10, 10-11:00 a.m. – MN SRTS Network Call
February 2022 - Winter Walk to School Day
May 4, 2022 - Bike to School Day
Resources
Order free MN Bike Maps and MN Bicycle Handbooks for your organization’s events!
Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum, bike fleet trailer request, and future training opportunities.
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