Category: Walking

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day – November 14

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About Ruby

In 1954 the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education ended racial segregation in public schools. Southern states, however, continued to resist. Ruby spent kindergarten in a segregated classroom. In 1960 a federal court ordered Louisiana schools to desegregate. 

The school district created an entrance exam to see if Black students could handle being in an all-white school. Ruby and five other students passed the exam. The six students were to be sent to two different all-white schools. 

The school district delayed their start and Ruby’s first day of school was November 14, 1960. A few days before the start of school, the two Black students who were going to attend with Ruby, decided to stay in their home school. Ruby braved William Frantz Elementary School on her own.

How Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Began

In May 2018, a group of fifth-graders from Martin Elementary in South San Francisco learned about Ruby and asked their school board to pass a resolution making November 14 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. 

Interested in Planning a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day at Your School?

Get started by downloading the Event Resource Guide developed by the Ruby Bridges Foundation.

Schools Can Register for 2023’s International Walk & Roll to School Day

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International Walk & Roll to School Day is October 4th, 2023 (or October 18th for schools with fall breaks). Walking, biking, skating, and scooting are great ways to get to school. An active commute sets students up for a healthy and on-time start for a successful school day.

Healthy Bodies & Healthy Communities

Most of us know that getting exercise by walking or biking to school improves the physical, social, and emotional health of students, but the benefits can extend to the entire neighborhood as well. When families walk, neighbors get to know each other and no longer feel like strangers. When people see other families’ children walking to school, perceptions of safety can increase which can lead to more parents allowing their own kids to walk. Plus, with fewer cars on the road, neighborhood air quality improves, and traffic congestion lessens.

Safe & Healthy Habits

Studies show that active children tend to become active adults. Building a daily routine of walking or biking to school is one way to ingrain exercise as a normal, everyday activity. (Your children will thank you for this healthy habit when they’re older!)

Teach your children how to walk and bike safely. Plan and practice using a safe route to school and talk with your kids about what to do in an emergency. Learning to navigate the environment is an important part of growing up, and walking to school builds independence, character, and good decision-making skills. Getting to know neighbors along the route also gives students plenty of support options between home and school, if needed. Some parents feel safer walking with their children (and also benefit from the exercise and shared quality time). Team up with neighbors and learn how to form a Walking School Bus.

International Walk and Roll to School Day Is in October

Schools can host a Walk and Roll to School event this October, on October 4th (or October 18th for schools with fall breaks), or on another day of their choosing. Street Smarts Diablo will provide free promotional materials and participation prizes for schools that register by Sept 15th. Click the button below or send questions to kirsten@streetsmartsdiablo.org.

Register Your School

School Zone Safety Quiz

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No matter how your student gets to school – biking, walking, or riding in a car – we want them to arrive safely. We’ve created a visual quiz covering unsafe school-zone behavior. Not only is this a good quiz for both students and parents, but it’s great to take it together.

Once you think you’ve identified the dangerous behaviors in the first image, scroll down to see the answers.

 
 
 
 
 

Start the New School Year with a New School Commute

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Walking, biking, skating, and scooting are great ways to get to school. An active commute to start the day sets students up for a safe, healthy, and on-time start for a successful new year of school.

Healthy Bodies & Healthy Communities

Most of us know that walking or biking to school provides great exercise for students by building strong bones and muscles and improving cardiovascular health. But the benefits of walking and biking also extend to the entire neighborhood and surrounding community.

Walks through the neighborhood give neighbors the chance to meet, greet and look out for each other. When neighbors see other families’ children walking to school, feelings of security can increase and create a snowball effect of more students walking together in groups (How to Form a Walking School Bus). Plus, with fewer cars on the road, air quality improves and traffic congestion lessens.

Safe & Healthy Habits

Studies are showing that children who are active on a regular basis tend to become active adults. Building a routine of walking or biking to school each day is one way to ingrain exercise as a normal, daily activity for a lifetime. (Your children will thank you for instilling exercise as a way of life when they’re older!)

Teach your children how to walk and bike safely. Plan – and practice – a safe route to and from school. Learning to navigate the environment is an important part of growing up, and walking to school builds independence, character, and decision making skills.

Many parents feel uneasy allowing students to walk for fear of kidnapping or attack. While actual statistics show these occurrences are extremely rare, it is important to talk with children about what to do in an emergency. Some parents feel safer walking with their children and also enjoy the benefits of exercise and shared quality time. Getting to know neighbors along the route also gives students plenty of support options between home and school, if needed.

Have a great 2018-19 school year, from Street Smarts Diablo.

Pittsburg HS: More of Railroad Ave Now Open for Walking to Campus

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Click image to enlarge

Good news for Pittsburg High School students! Safer pedestrian access is now available on the East side of Railroad Avenue. Sidewalks have re-opened on the corner of California and Railroad at the “Kiss and Ride” area.

Additionally, the sidewalk on the east side of the overpass (at the entrance to the BART Park & Ride) is open. Students will be able to access the crosswalks and signal buttons.

Walking School Bus – How to Start Your Own

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It’s back-to-school time! If you live within walking distance of your child’s school, you might consider forming a walking school bus.

A walking school bus can be as simple as two families taking turns walking their children to school. You can definitely go bigger, by including more parents and children, but it’s easiest to start with a small group of interested families.

For details on how to start your own walking school bus, read Street Smarts Diablo’s ‘how to’ guide.

Image: Active & Safe Routes to School