|
Dear parents, caregivers, educators, and community,
Did you hear the news? Next month, Oregon Safe Routes to School is launching a new event: El Camino de Dolores Walk+Roll to School Day! Dolores Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with César Chávez, and together, they spearheaded a movement that dramatically improved the lives of farmworkers across the nation. They fought for fair wages, safe working conditions, and basic human dignity. This is an opportunity for students and their families to celebrate Dolores Huerta’s dedication to social justice by walking to school. Make sure to order incentives by Thursday, April 2 to have them in time for the event.
Remember to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and tag us in your stories! We love celebrating your successes with the Portland community.
With gratitude,
Safe Routes to School Team | Brittany, Gui, Janis, Jeri, and Meaghan
In this newsletter
An older woman in front of kids walking and rolling to school and bilingual text promoting El Camino de Dolores. El Camino de Dolores Walk+Roll to School Day is an opportunity for students and their families to celebrate Dolores Huerta’s dedication to social justice by walking to school.
El Camino de Dolores Walk+Roll to School Day is an opportunity for students and their families to celebrate Dolores Huerta’s dedication to social justice by walking to school. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the farmworkers' movement, her fight for equality, and how these struggles connect to current efforts for positive change while additionally encouraging students to walk or bike to school.
El Camino de Dolores Walk to School Day will be held on or around April 10th, honoring her birthday. Schools are also welcome to host this event on a different day in April at their convenience.
Order incentives by Thursday, April 2
Oregon Safe Routes to School provides promotion and activity resources to help make the most of El Camino de Dolores, including free incentives, posters, social media, Lotería, and bingo.
Please order incentives by Thursday, April 2 to have them in time for the event. Incentives include reflective and non-reflective stickers, reflective shoelaces, pencils, shoe wings, hang stamps, bookmarks, and English and Spanish comics, activity books, sheets, and coloring books.
Portland Public Schools and Centennial School District
Please email your school district's Safe Routes to School Coordinator to let them know your school is participating in El Camino de Dolores:
-
Maddy Cirineo, Portland Public Schools Safe Routes to School Coordinator
-
Ian Rees, Centennial School District Safe Routes to School Coordinator
We want to make sure the Safe Routes to School newsletter is clear, helpful, and relevant to you. Please take a brief, anonymous survey (about two minutes) to share what information you find most valuable and what you'd like to see more of.
Metro's logo simply illustrates a home, streets, rivers, and mountains in a circle. Metro is offering a monthly lunchtime webinar series to support learder, planners, and educators working to make it safer and more joyful for students to walk and bike to school.
As part of the Metro’s work supporting walking school buses and bike buses, they are offering a monthly lunchtime webinar series to support leaders, planners, and educators working to make it safer and more joyful for students to walk and bike to school.
The series will be held on the first Wednesday of the month at noon:
- Wednesday, March 4
- Wednesday, April 1
- Wednesday, May 6
- Wednesday, June 3
The series will focus on practical, real-world topics including quick build infrastructure, group ride safety and de-escalation, activation and incentive based programming, and honest reflections from walking school bus and bike bus leaders at different stages of their journey.
Learn from experienced practitioners from across the country
Each session will feature experienced practitioners from across the country sharing lessons learned, tools, and examples that can be adapted locally. The goal is to build shared knowledge, strengthen leader confidence, and support communities that are actively trying to make student transportation safer and more human.
Do you know someone in your community who helps kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school? Tell us about them. We're interested in sharing their story!
Pam Fox is one of those people helping kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school. Pam is a long time parent volunteer, as well as Community Engagement Coordinator, at West Hills Montessori School, as well as a community events volunteer with Multnomah Neighborhood Association. Continue reading to learn more about Pam!
A woman wearing a baseball cap and a vest smiles in front of shrubbery. Pam is a long-time parent volunteer, as well as Community Engagement Coordinator, at West Hills Montessori School, as well as a community events volunteer with Multnomah Neighborhood Association. Photo by Portland Parks & Recreation.
Question: Why did you get started helping kids and their families walk, bike, and roll to and from school?
Answer: A preschooler was nearly hit by a distracted driver who was speeding through a crosswalk with a parent in front of our school. That close call sparked a series of community events. Beyond encouraging drivers to slow down, we wanted to build connections within our West Hills Montessori School community and strengthen our school's partnership with the neighborhood and the city.
Helping kids get to school is a powerful way to model civic engagement. Youngsters see us showing up to help at the crosswalk. We also share stories about building relationships with key partners, such as the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division's Sgt. Betsy Hornstein, the Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) Safe Routes to School program, our three adjacent neighborhood associations (and their transportation and public safety chairs), other schools that share our school zone, District 4 City Councilors, and the District Four Coalition.
Three adults, one wearing a traffic safety cone costume, all hold up traffic safety signage on the side of a street. District 4 City Councilor Mitch Green (holding a sign created by West Hills Montessori School students) and staff joined Pam Fox at the October 13, 2025, traffic safety event on SW Vermont Street.
Q: What is one bit of wisdom for people who want to do something like what you're doing?
A: There are so many ways to make a single community event useful beyond the event itself. For example, we turned our traffic safety events into classroom lessons on traffic safety and civic engagement in partnership with a teacher at West Hills Montessori School. Students created "slow down" signs that adults displayed during the event.
We also published an event planning template on the District Four Coalition website so others can host similar events without reinventing the wheel. We share what we've learned, such as how to request a Portland Police Bureau safety grant to fund a traffic enforcement operation, who to contact at PBOT or Portland Parks & Recreation to promote events online, how to collaborate on social media, and how to invite elected officials.
I also recommend connecting with your local neighborhood association to learn the backstory on traffic safety concerns at specific locations. There may be a wealth of knowledge, and volunteer capacity, ready to support you.
Four adults, including one wearing a zebra costume, hold signage encouraging people to drive slower. District 4 City Councilor Olivia Clark, West Hills Montessori Program Director Delila Olsson, and Multnomah Neighborhood Association Board Member Peter Samson at the March 30, 2025, traffic safety event on SW Vermont Street.
Q: What is something you've learned while doing this work?
A: It is more fun —and less work — to co-host an event (shoutout to my co-host, Marita Ingalsbe of Hayhurst Neighborhood Association!).
There's also real value in hosting a series rather than a one-time event. Promotion, partnerships, and volunteer systems are already in place, which makes each event easier to replicate. Relationships need time to grow. Volunteer participation increases over time. And a new event concept needs time to "percolate" with the audience.
Over 18 months, we've expanded our collaboration to include additional schools, parent volunteers, elected officials, and even local faith leaders. I received great advice: amplify your impact by documenting and "memorializing" the work. We share photos and updates in newsletters, archive event successes on partner websites, and post collaborative social media recaps.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: At both the individual and institutional level, people and organizations want to be connected to their communities — they just may not know how. Providing clear opportunities to connect generated a lot of positive feedback, in my experience.
Two adults stand with someone wearing a zebra costume and a police officer on a motorcycle holding traffic safety signage. Hayhurst Neighborhood Association Chair Marita Ingalsbe, Pam Fox, Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division Sgt. Betsy Hornstein, and West Hills Montessori School Program Director Delila Olsson after the March 30, 2025, traffic safety event that included traffic enforcement through a safety grant.
Q: What's one thing you'd like people to better understand about your work?
A: At the core of it, this work is about meeting neighbors, building connections, staying connected, and combating isolation. Connection is the key to improving traffic safety (and spoiler alert: many other pressing concerns!).
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
A: I'm a parent, resident of the Multnomah neighborhood, and a researcher and educator in the field of human development and family studies. Over recent years of volunteering, I've learned that our local neighborhood association is a surprisingly effective place to organize free, public events that bring people together.
Blue banner with a photo of two people gardening and text, "PCEF cutting emissions, increasing share responsibility." The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund invests in community-led projects to reduce carbon emissions, create economic opportunity, and help make our city more resilient as we face a changing climate.
Did you know the in addition to Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) supporting physical infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resiliency in approximately 90 public schools, they're also supporting student-led initiatives? Grant High School is one of the approximately 50 schools to receive $15,000 per year for student-led initiatives.
PCEF student-led initiative requirements
PCEF student-led initiatives must:
- empower student leadership
- demonstrate connection to greenhouse gas reduction or sequestration
- demonstrate connection to one of the PCEF funding areas (clean energy, transportation, green infrastructure, regenerative agriculture, or workforce and contractor development)
- be implemented within Portland
Grant High School's approach
In addition to holding monthly climate challenges and a climate action night, encouraging their community to switch from gas to electric appliances, and learning about regenerative agriculture, students at Grant High School are also focusing their efforts on transportation decarbonization.
From driving to biking to school
With PCEF funding, members of Grant High School's Bike Club will empower their peers to bike to school through rides, workshops, and encouragement. They will hold biweekly rides to major parks or destinations to have fun, explore, and be physically active. Students will lead bike repair workshops to highlight the simplicity and straightforwardness of most repairs. Finally, they will encourage their peers to travel by bike to local destinations, take advantage of Portland's bike infrastructure and culture, and reduce arbitrary auto usage.
Students noted that many teens at Grant High School have access to a car and choose to drive to places that are just as easily, if not more easily, accessible by bike. They believe they'll be able to incentivize biking through the "friend factor." They shared that "many of (their) friends enjoy driving with friends in their car, and while it's great and fun, it can pose a safety risk. Group bike rides are really fun, too!"
Before and after photos of a gravel street improved with pavement, sidewalks, and curb ramps. The SE Cooper Street and 62nd Avenue project aimed to build a walking path for Lane Middle School students and families, collect stormwater, prevent water from ponding, and repair road conditions.
Last month, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) wrapped up construction at SE Cooper Street and 62nd Avenue. This project aimed to build a walking path for Lane Middle School students and families, collect stormwater, prevent water from ponding, and repair road conditions. PBOT partnered with the Bureau of Environmental Services to reduce the risk of combined sewer overflows and prevent flooding by collecting and infiltrating stormwater runoff.
Project elements
- Construct 100' of concrete sidewalk to fill existing sidewalk gaps
- Construct three curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Install a sedimentation-sump stormwater system
- Pave street to tie into existing repaired roadway
Before and after photos of a gravel street improved with pavement, sidewalks, and curb ramps. The SE Cooper Street and 62nd Avenue project aimed to build a walking path for Lane Middle School students and families, collect stormwater, prevent water from ponding, and repair road conditions.
Informed by local student and family needs
Together with the community, PBOT identified the SE Cooper Street as an important connection for students and families travelling to and from Lane Middle School during a Safe Routes to School outreach process.
Funding
The SE Cooper Street and 62nd Avenue project is funded by:
A group of elementary school students grabbing stickers, pencils, and bike lights from a table. Winter Walk+Roll to School Day is a way for students and their families to get active in the winter and share information about traveling safely in snow, ice, and the dark.
You make our community great!
Abernethy, Atkinson, Irvington, James John, Kelly, Jason Lee, Lewis, Lincoln Park, Rosa Parks, Whitman, and Woodstock elementary schools; Arleta, Creston, Lent, Marysville, and Woodlawn K-5 schools; Astor and César Chávez K-8 schools; and Harriet Tubman Middle School.
A poster for a traffic safety event on Monday, March 30 at SW Vermont Street and 50th Avenue from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The event is made possible by West Hills Montessori School in partnership with Safe Routes to School, Portland Police Bureau, District Four Coalition, and the Maplewood, Multnomah, and Hayhurst neighborhood associations.
Build community, meet neighbors and promote Safe Routes to School!
Join friends, family and neighbors for a Southwest Portland community Traffic Safety Event on Monday, March 30 at SW Vermont Street and 50th Avenue from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Volunteer leaders will share signage for volunteers to display encouraging people driving to slow down and yield at crosswalks in the school zone.
This event is brought to you by West Hills Montessori School in partnership with Portland Bureau of Transportation's Safe Routes to School program, Portland Police Bureau's Traffic Division, District Four Coalition, and the Maplewood, Multnomah, and Hayhurst neighborhood associations.
A group of elementary school students on bikes making a left turn at an intersection. Grants, scholarships, and other opportunities support communities.
The Ruby Bridges Foundation Lucille Bridges Award
Due Tuesday, March 31
The nomination period for the Lucille Bridges Award is officially open! Named for Ruby’s mother, the Lucille Bridges Award honors students who tell the truth about difficult histories, take initiatives to improve their schools and neighborhoods, and engage in sustained, positive activism. Each year, The Ruby Bridges Foundation awards one outstanding student a $5,000 prize to support their next steps as a leader and advocate. To be eligible, students must have been registered and participated in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and be nominated by the school’s principal, administrator, or other community representative.
Project Yellow Light scholarship competition
Due Wednesday, April 1
People know distracted driving is dangerous, but they do it anyway. As a Project Yellow Light applicant you have one clear mission: create a billboard, video, or radio public service announcement to encourage your friends to avoid distracted driving, specifically using your phone while driving. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Skate Like a Girl Youth Employment Skateboarding
Due Thursday, April 16
Calling all young leaders! Are you interested in gaining professional skills through skateboarding? Making new friends? Going on an unforgettable skate trip? If the answer is yes, then you need to join YES! The Youth Employment Skateboarding (YES) application is now open for Skate Like a Girl's 2026 cohort. Teens ages 13-18 are encouraged to join the YES teen leadership program to make new skate besties, work with skate industry leaders, and serve their community.
Personal safety is core to making our streets safe. To realize a safe transportation system that provides all people with access and mobility to where they need to go, we must proactively take care of each other.
We want to help create a transportation system that allows all people to feel safe getting where they need to go. We put together free, accessible personal safety resources for community members, including how to report a non-urgent traffic safety concern, report bias and hate, participate in a self-defense workshop, and more.
The City of Portland posts new job opportunities every Monday.
Sustainability and Climate Commission
Apply by Monday, March 23
The Sustainability and Climate Commission (Commission) advances climate action across the City with a focus on environmental justice and accountability. The Commission's chief responsibility is to create and evaluate the City's Climate Action Plan. This means identifying specific actions to accomplish our sustainability and climate goals, outlining expected outcomes, and holding the City accountable to those commitments. Of the 20 seats on the Commission, four are dedicated youth seats (ages 16-24).
For more information:
Safe Routes to School
SafeRoutes@portlandoregon.gov | 3-1-1
Parts of this document were edited with the support of ChatGPT. City staff reviewed and fact-checked all content.
|
