The purpose of this committee is to promote safe biking and walking to school. The committee is also working with school to incorporate the DESE-approved (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) professional development program to curriculum to teach pedestrian and bike safety skills at school.
Walk to School Day began in 1997 as a simple idea – children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. In 2000, Canada and Great Britain joined with the United States to create International Walk to School Day, and now over 35 countries around the world participate. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. Schools focus on health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment.
Collaborating with the state’s Safe Routes to School program, we will celebrate three annual flagship days each year and they are:
- IWalk – International Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day (typically in October)
- Massachusetts Winter Walk to School Day (typically in February – the scale of the event pending weather)
- Massachusetts Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day (typically in May)
In additional to these three flagship events, Hastings Safe Routes to School is committed to host the Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day on the first Wednesday of each month throughout the school, weather permitting. Keep an eye on the Hastings Weekly Bulletin and check back at this webpage for the updated information regarding the planned events.
For additional information, please visit these websites:
Safe Routes To School | Mass.gov
Walk & Bike to School (walkbiketoschool.org)
NationalCenter for Safe Routes to School
International Walk to School Day
The Ultimate Bike Safety Guide
Join Us and Celebrate Bike, Walk’n Bus to School Day on April 5, 2023!
It is returning! April 5th, we’re having the first Bike, Walk’n Bus to School Day of 2023!
The interactive map showing both the eastbound and westbound bike train routes and the schedule can be found at the following link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1_iKFgpylFeWeN9eNaVxt0IzmaPiH91i9&hl=en&ll=42.44746845340414%2C-71.2355312640653&z=14
Please reach out to Shannon and Jon at js@jschwarz.com with any questions.
You are also encouraged to walk to school or take the bus – all environmentally friendly ways to get to school! If you walk, bike (scoot) or take the bus to arrive to school tomorrow, there will be a spring surprise for you!
Are you a car rider who lives more than 1/2 mile away from school?
We can help you plan your walking route at a walkable distance from school! We have a walking bus departing from a parent volunteer’s driveway which is ½ mile from school. Please contact for the walking bus arrangement or questions at: saferoutes@hastings-pto.org.
We need your help!
We need more parent volunteers to host our monthly Bike, Walk’n Bus to School Day. The event dates can be found in the Hastings PTO calendar and each event will last about ½ hour, 8:20-8:50AM in the morning line-up area. Stop by on your way to work, or just arrive with your child and stay for a little while. Please e-mail your availability at: saferoutes@hastings-pto.org. A formal sign-up genius will be available soon.
Program Timeframe: Ongoing/year-round
Committee Members: Shannon and Jon
Committee Email: saferoutes@hastings-pto.org