We are coming up to nearly a year of the Alberton Walking Schoolbus, and what a wonderful time it has been. We've seen kids learn about road safety, build connections across age levels, parents getting to know each other, and the school fully embracing the Walking Schoolbus as a regular part of how they welcome kids into school on Wednesdays and Fridays, by implementing lollypop people on schoolbus days to help with safe crossings in front of the school.
Alberton Primary School's principal even joined the schoolbus a few times!
Different parents and students are still joining the schoolbus, and anyone is welcome. Simply come to The Pear on Wednesday or Friday morning before 8.20am.
Today, Wednesday July 30th, the first Walking School Bus got 10 kids on board, took off from The Pear and dropped them safely at school. What a great win for our neighbourhood!
On Friday 25 July, 5 parents and 9 kids from Alberton Primary School came together to explore the idea of a Walking Schoolbus. Why? Because they all had the experience of walking to school while they were growing up, and they wish the same for their kids!
The exercise, sense of community, opportunity for growing confidence and street smarts, and building connections across different year levels were all mentioned as hopeful outcomes of a regular Walking School Bus.
After Lauren shared how her idea came about, the parents and older kids were quick to jump in with great ideas and how it could all work. The group decided to keep it simple and give it a crack for the first time next week! They decided on:
- Doing a Walking School Bus to Alberton Primary School two days a week
- Where they start and what route to take
- How to communicate and know which kids will join and which parents will supervise
- How new parents & kids can join the Walking School Bus
- Safety measures to have in place
Other parents can join the group and issues, concerns or further ideas that arise will be discussed when needed!
UPDATE: Date changed to Friday July 25th, same time!
When The Pear's Lauren found out that two local kids who are neighbours walk to school together, it sparked a thought in her head: What if all kids could walk to school together with other kids?! And what if they could all meet somewhere, and then walk to school - building confidence, getting to know our neighbourhood, and building relationships across the different year levels.
On Thursday July 24, straight after school at 3.15pm, we will look at what this idea could look like in practice with anyone who is interested! Join us at the Spark Session at QT Neighbourhood Node, 67 Spring St, Queenstown. Kids are very welcome!
