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When the weather outside is frightful in Minnesota, we put on our hats, gloves and jackets, and get ready to have some fun. Minnesota Safe Routes to School’s sixth-annual Winter Walk to School Day is Feb. 1. It’s a celebration of walking, biking and playing in the coldest and snowiest days of winter.
The idea is simple: go for a walk for at least 15 minutes and don’t let the cold scare you off. Celebrations can start small within a neighborhood or include the entire school – just do something outside!
After all, this is Minnesota - the land of ice fishing, hockey, cross-country skiing, fat biking and sledding. Why wouldn’t we throw a Walk (and Bike) to School Day party in the middle of the winter? Dig out your hats and gloves, organize your volunteers and get stepping for Winter Walk to School Day on Feb. 1, 2023.
 Help your school win the “Golden Snow Boot” Award! During each Winter Walk to School Day, our MnSRTS team asks participating schools to submit stories and photos of their event to compete for the Golden Snow Boot Award. Submit your stories and photos to dave.cowan@state.mn.us by Feb. 17, 2023 to enter.
See some sample messaging below or check out all the Winter Walk to School Day resources on the recently updated SRTS Resource Center. We’ve got social media posts, flyers, postcards, frequent walker punch cards and sticker templates for you to use!
Register here by Jan. 20, 2023 and we’ll support your efforts with materials and incentives to get your school moving.
Grant opportunities - last chance!
Current SRTS funding opportunities:
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Planning assistance solicitation grants are available to help develop SRTS plans for K-12 schools across Minnesota. Plans will include an analysis of existing conditions, public outreach, and identification of potential infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to help more children walk and bicycle safely to school. More information on the planning process and type of assistance available through this grant is available in the Planning Assistance application guide. Grant applications are due Jan. 11, 2023.
Walk! Bike! Fun! Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Curriculum
Pedestrian and Bicycle safety Educator training is provided in two parts for teachers and community members.
Part one is a 2-3 hour online, self-paced training about Safe Routes to School, Equity and Justice, overview of the curriculum and a deep dive into rules of the road. This training also includes videos, quizzes, discussion questions and time for reflection.
Part two is an in-person, on-bike training lasting about 5 hours. In it, participants teach and practice activities from the curriculum that students will experience.
Host a part two in-person training!
Interested communities will need to submit an application expressing interest to host a part two in-person training. As a host, you’ll coordinate activities with the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, assist with finding a suitable facility for the training and help with set-up logistics. Hosts also identify and invite stakeholders to the training, and may be identified as a follow-up contact.
Download the Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum for free.
SRTS in the news:
Join the Safe Routes National List Serve
There is a Safe Routes National Partnership list serve to ask questions and learn about work from across the country. You can either view the history of discussion in the google group or as emails come in.
If you have a Google account, you can join through this link. If not, email Brittany at brittany@saferoutespartnership.org and she can add you.
Upcoming events:
Feb. 1, 2023 – Winter Walk to School Day
Feb. 2, 10-11 a.m. – MnSRTS Network Call
May 3, 2023 - 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 opportunitiesClick to edit this placeholder text.
More about MnSRTS
Visit: http://www.mnsaferoutestoschool.org
Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaSafeRoutestoSchool/
MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all people in their programs, services and activities.
- If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or documents in an alternative format (such as braille, large print or in a different language) at no cost, please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720. Relay service: 711.
- If you need any another reasonable accommodation to participate (such as seating modification or auxiliary aids), please email your request to Accessibility.DOT@state.mn.us or call 1-833-400-8432. Relay service: 711.
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