What is Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS)?

Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) supports safe walking routes so kids can be more active before, during and after school. ASRTS started in Canada in the 1990’s.
Learn more about Active and Save Routes at www.saferoutestoschool.ca

Why Active & Safe Routes to School?

• Gets kids active. Walking helps build and maintain bones, muscles, and joints, helps control weight, and increases energy.

• Parents can teach kids road safety rules while walking. Kids can practice the rules with an adult present.

• Kids who walk to school tend to be more alert, so they are ready to learn.

• If more kids walk, fewer cars would be on the road and around the school. This makes it safer for kids traveling to and from school.

• Kids can make new friends, enjoy time with family, and get to know their neighbourhood by walking.

What is the Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) Coalition?

The ASRTS Coalition was formed in January 2008. It is made up of members from the following agencies:

• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

• Heart and Stroke Foundation

• School Boards

• Teen Health Centre

• New Beginnings

• Sandwich Community Health Centre

• City of Windsor-Public Works

The coalition’s goal is to increase physical activity among elementary students. The coalition works with schools and parents to:

• Find out the barriers to walking to and from school.

• Work with decision makers (for example, municipal councillors, school board and/or school personnel) to make sure supports are in place for student’s safety when walking to and from school. Supports may include sidewalks, signage, crossing guards, crosswalks, traffic signs, and supervision.

What is the plan for the near future?

The ASRTS coalition will hold community forums at interested schools in Windsor and Essex County.
The purpose of the community forum is to inform parents about ASRTS, why it is important, and to discuss how ASRTS should be carried out in their school.
Also, the vision is to have a working group at each school. This way the ASRTS program meets the school’s individual needs.

What does an ASRTS program look like?

ASRTS has many looks. Schools can pick one or a number of the following:

• International Walk To School Day (IWALK): IWALK takes place once a year in October. The goal of IWALK is to increase the number of students who walk to and from school on that day. For more information about IWALK go to http://www.iwalktoschool.org/

• Walking School Bus: Students who live in the same area walk to and from school together. A volunteer, (such as a parent), walks with the students. Volunteers can take turns on different days of the week.

• Walking Wednesdays, Trekking Thursday, Phys. Ed. Friday: Schools are free to pick a name for their program. The goal is to pick one day per month or one day per week as a “Walk to School Day”. On this day, students are encouraged to walk.

Are you wondering how Active & Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) can fit into schools that bus most kids?

Here's an idea:

• Walking Challenge/ Kilometre Club: At lunch, recess, or before classes start have students walk around the school yard. The gym can be used on bad weather days.
  Schools work out the distance of their walking area. Students can track how far they walked, and how many times they need to walk around an area to finish 1km or a mile.
• Walk Across Canada ChallengeWalk Across Canada Challenge: Can be included in the Walking Challenge/Kilometre Club. Walk Across Canada Challenge encourages students, teachers, parents to track footsteps or kilometres over a certain time period. The goal is to travel from one end of the country to the other. Schools can track their progress on a map.
  The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has designed teaching kits to help schools use the Walk Across Canada Challenge. Follow the teaching kits link to download.

How can you get involved?

Do you have any questions about the ASRTS program?
Would you like to get involved?
Do you think your school would like to get involved?
If so, please contact us at 519-258-2146 ext. 1260.

Follow the links below for more information: