This is the May issue of the Marin Safe Routes to Schools ENewsletter. This newsletter provides you with monthly updates of the Marin Safe Routes to Schools program, including highlights of the month.
Highlights of the Month:
Fairfax Pedestrian Bridge Installed
Safe Routes Celebrates Earth Day in Novato
Safe Routes Presentation on Health and the Built Environment
Mill Valley Students Take a Field Trip
Lynwood Conducts First Spring Contest
Redwood Students Learn About the History of Transportation
Task Forces Develop School Travel Plans
Walkabouts Explore Safety Issues Around Schools
MAY'S CALENDAR
Team Leader Meeting Note new date
Thursday June 7, 11:30 am – 1 pm
San Rafael Community Center
618 B St., San Rafael
Sun Valley Task Force Meeting
Wednesday, May 9, 8:30-9:30 am
Sun Valley School
75 Happy Lane, San Rafael
Novato Task Force Meeting
Thursday, May 10, 7 pm
Margaret Todd Senior Center
1560 Hill Road, Novato
Twin Cities Task Force Meeting
Tuesday, May 22, 3:30 pm
Larkspur Parks and Recreation
230 Doherty Drive, Larkspur
Mill Valley Task Force
Tuesday, May 8, 9 am
Sewer Agency of Southern Marin Conference room
450 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley
Ross Valley Task Force
Thursday May 17, 10 am
Ross Valley School District Office
110 Shaw Drive, San Anselmo
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Fairfax Pedestrian Bridge Installed
On May 2, a pedestrian bridge was installed across the creek at Marin Drive. The bridge is the final stage of the Safe Routes to Schools project that included a new sidewalk along Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from Marin Drive to Olema Road. The bridge will provide a safer access for pedestrians and bicyclists who previously shared a one lane bridge with automobiles to gain access to Sir Frances Drake Blvd.and the private and public schools of Fairfax. The project was funded through the Caltrans Safe Routes to Schools program, Fairfax town funds, and TAM administered Bay Area Air Quality Management Control District (BAAQMD) and Transportation For Clean Air Funds (TFCA).
Safe Routes Celebrates Earth Day in Novato
Safe Routes to Schools was a big hit at Novato School Fuel's (www.schoolfuel.org) first annual Cycling for Schools event on Earth Day at San Marin High School. Students and parents bicycled from the high school to Stafford Lake as part of a fundraising event for Novato schools. SR2S joined with other Novato schools in providing a hands-on activity for students following the ride. Students made mobiles out of used bicycle parts; this proved to be the one of the most popular activities at the event. The event closed with the Safe Routes to Schools Super Safety Assembly featuring X Games competitor Chris Duncan. The skit encourages safe bicycling while thrilling the crowds with Chris' amazing jumps and tricks.
Safe Routes Presentation on Health
and the Built Environment
Safe Routes to Schools was prominently featured at a conference called The Impact of the Built Environment on the Health of the Community, sponsored by the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services. At the April 18 event, SR2S led a hands-on activity called No-Way City, a fictitious city that demonstrates how the built environment can affect the ability of a community's people to be physically active. Break-out groups developed strategies for engineering and policy changes, education, and encouragement initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles. The event was attended by staff from the health department and planning department, elected officials, food and farming organizations, and others.
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Mill Valley Students Take a Field Trip
SR2S completed its four-part series to the Net students at Mill Valley Middle School with a Street Skills lesson followed by a bicycle field trip to Sausalito. Twenty-three students rode the bike path from the school to Mollie Stone Market, where they had lunch. Before participating in the field trip, the students learned basic skills for bicycling. Participants said they learned a lot about bike skills and the importance of sticking together. They can't wait to do it again. The NET stands for Navigating Educational Trails, a project based school within a school. The Net students will be promoting and organizing the Frequent Rider Miles contest at Mill Valley Middle School.
Lynwood Conducts First Spring Contest
Lynwood School is the first school in the county to complete this year's Pollution Punchcard contest. More than half of the student body participated, for a total of 228 students. A second grader won the backpack from Lands End that lights up for visibility. A first grader won the grand prize, a gift certificate for a Marin Bike, funded through Kaiser Permanente. Lynwood will continue its "Walking Wednesdays" through the end of the school year, with random checks and more prizes to come.
Redwood Students Learn About
the History of Transportation
The SR2S History of Transportation Curriculum was taught to English students at Redwood High school the week of April 15. The SR2S curriculum was modified to suit the class; its focus is an exploration of how cultural attitudes are affected by and affect transportation infrastructure over the years. The presentation included a "race" to the city by bike and car. The students were very excited about the presentation and some want to try out their own "race". As a follow-up the students will be writing poetry about transportation. Stay tuned for highlights.
Task Forces Develop School Travel Plans
The Task Forces for Ross Valley, Novato, Mill Valley,Twin Cities and Sun Valley all progressed in the development of their travel plans. Each task force was provided with the first draft of the plan for those schools that provided basic information. The plans now show a snapshot of the existing conditions and activities at each school. The Task Forces then brainstormed goals and objectives and began developing strategies for achieving those goals. Each school is now reviewing the plans for accuracy. The schools will develop their own sets of goals and strategies to complement those of their communities.
Walkabouts Explore Safety Issues Around Schools
Safe Routes to Schools conducted a Walkabout at Strawberry School in Mill Valley the morning of May 1, to explore the impediments for children to be able to walk and bike to school. The principal and parents from the school showed how the streets near the school have poor sidewalk connectivity, blind corners, and challenging intersections. SR2S will provide concept designs that will be used as part of the school's Travel Plan. May walkabouts are scheduled for Our Lady of Loretto School in Novato and Miller Creek Middle School in Marinwood. A bike-about will also be conducted in May from Hall Middle School to Greenbrae boardwalk.
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Making mobiles at Earth Day celebration
Safe Routes to Schools
is a program of the
Transportation Authority
of Marin
3501 Civic Center Dr.
San Rafael, CA 94913
www.tam.ca.gov
Project Manager:
David Parisi
415-388-8978
david@
parisi-associates.com
For general
information
on the Safe Routes
program:
Program Director:
Wendi Kallins
415-488-4101
wendi@marinbike.org
For information on
school activities
and classes:
Project Coordinator:
Kristin Nute
415-456-3469 ext. 2#
kristin@marinbike.org
Making mobiles at Earth Day celebration
