Active School Travel
NSTS and Niagara Region Public Health have partnered for several years to provide Active School Travel programs to local schools. IN 2018 we received a grant from Ontario Active School Travel to support enhanced programs.
In the 2019-20 school year, we supported 26 elementary schools and with the grant we were able to collect data to understand the model of travel of students to school, complete walkabouts in school communities with partners, pilot a walking school bus and enhance pedestrian safety resources.
We have more work to do to support students walking and wheeling to school. For more information, please email AST@nsts.ca.
Why Active School Travel
If you live in your school’s walk zone, your child can enjoy many benefits of a walk to and from school such as:
Boosting readiness to learn and academic performance
Decreasing levels of stress
Increasing levels of happiness
On days when you may need to drive, consider a safe drop off location away from the school and let your child walk the last five minutes. This will allow them to enjoy the benefits of physical activity and help you avoid congestion around your school.
Walking to school is faster than you think
Walking home from school can take less time than driving, especially if you have to arrive early to find a parking spot. You can practice a route with your child and time it as a way to prepare for the journey to school. Most families who live within 800 metres of school can walk there in only ten minutes.
School Crossing Guards
Your municipality provides School Crossing Guards, to help with your child’s journey to school. Keeping children safe is their number one priority. Click HERE to learn more about your school's crossing guard.