Partner with schools and communities to ensure all young people are welcomed, engaged, and connected. 

This month’s priority spotlight is focused on supportive communities and schools. Back-to-school season is a great time to support students in re-connecting to their school and community, trying new things, and forming positive routines. 

Physical activity, safe neighborhoods, and access to the outdoors all come together in the work of Minnesota Safe Routes to School program. Minnesota Safe Routes to School is an effort to improve walking and bicycling conditions for youth and to encourage more active lifestyles. The organization will host a Walk to School Day on Oct. 9. This fun event serves as an important opportunity to encourage physical activity and promote safety in neighborhoods and near schools. 

Schools and communities where young people feel like they belong and matter provide a solid foundation for young people to flourish. The goal of this priority is to strengthen and support schools and communities to create safe, engaging, and welcoming opportunities that help young people envision a promising future and are an integral part of the community. The action steps focus on viewing young people as an integral part of their community and collaborating to create environments where young people safely learn, experiment, contribute, and thrive.

Action Steps 

• Support the adoption of the whole school, whole community, whole child model
• Support positive and safe school climates and communities
• Bring a youth-centered perspective to school improvement efforts
• Connect and align youth programs across communities
• Offer guidance to young people on healthy dating and relationships and ways to identify the signs of intimate partner and dating violence
• Promote intergenerational community activities that bring together people across the lifespan 

Pedal Power’s mission is to create opportunities for adventure, teamwork, problem solving, and hands on learning for students through school-based bicycle education programs in underserved communities. Students learn to bike, then bike to learn about themselves, their neighborhood and community, and about developing a love of outdoor activity.   

Pedal Power began when Minneapolis teachers Mark Trumper and Susan Tuck had an idea that kids should learn to bike as part of their school day after learning that many students had no experience riding on the road or trails.

Some fourth and fifth grade students then imagined what it would be like to have a fleet of bikes big enough for an entire class to ride places together. Since that time, students have continued to learn, practice, and explore under the guidance of bike program leaders and volunteers. Pedal Power is now a 501c3 nonprofit working toward that original goal of universal bike education in underserved elementary schools across the city. This fall, Pedal Power has added its sixth Minneapolis elementary school to its programming. Using the bike as a vehicle for exploring the outdoors is an integral part of each ride. Learn to bike, bike to learn is both a program and a philosophy developed by Pedal Power to promote outdoor activity and adventure through biking.

The organization is often called on to lead workshops for other staff who are beginning to teach biking at their schools and have helped shape district policy and practice on school-based bicycle education. Through Pedal Power they have provided mentorship, support, and training for both bike program leaders and their students. They are League Cycling Instructors trained in a rigorous certification course emphasizing instruction, leadership, and teaching strategies along with safety, skill, and avoidance tactics.  

After schools began to return to in-person learning in 2021, Pedal Power became even more important. They saw how the pandemic lockdown had eroded the mental health of students and staff alike. To address the mental health concerns, they added social skills of greeting each other, forgiving, apologizing, and building community. In the book, “The Nature Fix,” Florence Williams lays out the research of why being in green space is good for you. She says the physical activity turbocharges the positive effects of nature. Pedal Power believes that biking with friends through green space puts a little bit of special sauce on all those benefits. 

For questions, or to volunteer with Pedal Power, email pedalpowermn@gmail.com.  

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is hosting a new Radon Poster Contest for fall 2024!  Open to children in Minnesota ages 9-14, students can earn cash prizes for the top three posters in both age groups: ages 9-11 and ages 12-14.  Instructions and additional information can be found at the MDH Radon Poster Contest website. 

The state winner will go to the national contest for a chance at a $1,000 prize.  The submission deadline is Nov. 15. For additional information and to submit posters, please contact Marc Katz in MDH’s Indoor Air Unit at marc.katz@state.mn.us. 

This webinar series explores research from social work and psychology reframing “positive youth development” as “identity-based positive youth development.” 

Aqui Para Tí created the webinar series to support health care providers, educators, counselors, and other caregivers to learn about emerging research and strategies.  

1. Starting with the Healer and our lens 
   • Tues., Sept. 10, noon – 1 p.m. 
   • Register for webinar 1
2. The Relegated (and Suddenly Vital) Importance of Caring for Positive Racial-Ethnic Identities for Youth and Community Health
   • Tues., Sept. 24, noon – 1 p.m. 
   • Register for webinar 2
3. Deep Dive into the Radical Healing Model and its elements 
   • Wed., Oct. 9 
   • Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the University of Minnesota Medical School
   • Register for webinar 3  
4. The importance of intersectionality in our care 
   • Tues., Oct. 22, noon – 1 p.m.  
   • Register for webinar 4 
5. About Racism and other negative “isms” (forces) in our society: How to coach our youth around Critical Consciousness 
   • Tues., Nov. 5, noon – 1 p.m.
   • Register for webinar 5

The Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health

This collaboratively developed plan was designed to support community-based efforts with a unifying vision, and collectively agreed-upon priorities to motivate, engage, and inspire action. Efforts can be led by a wide variety of groups such health systems, youth-serving organizations, or young people. If your agency has a program that you would like featured or an event or resource you’d like to share with this network, please send it to us at Health.AdolescentHealth@state.mn.us.