Everybody’s Walking!
We’re really inspired by these videos posted by Everybody Walks — a US-based campaign to encourage more of what our bodies need: walking! One features a Walking School Bus, and the other’s about Getting Children Walking. These videos really warmed our hearts — and speak to why children need to be active in their routes to and from school.

Walk With Your Child — It’s a World of Adventure!
Accompanying a little person on their journey to school is about a lot more than simply getting there. Read more about one mother’s experiences with her daughter here.Do You Have a Story to Share?
Peg, Winnipeg’s community indicator system, is looking for stories that speak to our relationship with the environment – stories that describe the current situation (both positive and negative) and that inspire others to take action. We’re sure there are more stories about walking with your child — get information on this projectand share yours!We’d also love to hear a walking with your child story — so feel free to send us yours too!

 

School Travel Planning Videos

These videos are a part of the Stepping It Up project in Toronto, which aims to improve conditions for active and sustainable ways of getting to school. Enjoy!

2. Stepping It Up – Carpool To School: A Teacher’s Story

 

Contact Us 
Reach the Active and Safe Routes to School in Manitoba program team at:

(204) 925-3773
asrts@greenactioncentre.ca

 

If you like what you read, become a member of Green Action Centre (membership is free!), visit our website at greenactioncentre.ca or make a donation.

Last year’s poster winner, Kyle McWilliam

 

Clean Air Day Poster Contest
Is your class up for the challenge? Do you know some budding artists? Then this poster contest is for you!

The Clean Air Day poster contest is a way to get students thinking and drawing about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and making changes which benefit the environment.

The grand prize winning poster will be used as the main promotional image for the Clean Air Day Walk to School on June 6th 2012. All Manitoba elementary school-aged students are eligible to enter.  More details here: Clean Air Day Walk to School 2012 – poster competition

 

Graphic Facilitator Magic
The Walk 21 Conference in Vancouver had a pre-conference day on Active and Safe Routes to School hosted by HASTE (the Hub for Action on School Transportation Emissions), the local organizing body for ASRTS in BC, which brought in 50 participants from across Canada and around the world to talk about our work, highlight some best practices and share success stories and dreams.

You can read HASTE’s blog post here to find out just what happened. And be sure to check out the wicked mural that graphic facilitator Avril Orloff created as part of the day. It was magic! She drew, coloured and sketched as the speakers spoke and made something really beautiful and inspiring.

 

Upcoming Webinars
January 24 – 6:30pm CST
Green Teacher Webinar: “Sustainable Happiness, Hope & Resiliency”

Join Catherine O’Brien and Elin Kelsey for an inspiring discussion about sustainable happiness, hope and resiliency. After short presentations, they will share ways they see this work moving into the world so participants can envision implications for their personal and professional life.
Registration

January 31 – 12pm CST
Safe Routes Coaching Action Network Webinar:
“Pump Down the Volume” — SRTS and Traffic Reduction

Communities initiate ASRTS programs for many reasons. Aiming to reduce the barriers for students who walk and bike to school, some programs attempt to reduce traffic congestion and the number of cars around schools.

Participate from the comfort of your own computer, or attend in the Board Room of the Eco-Centre, 303 Portage Avenue, 3rd floor.  Please RSVP if attending in person.

 

Funding Opportunity
The Healthy Schools campaign this spring focuses on ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.  Participating schools will receive $100.00 plus an additional $0.35 per student for an activity that promotes environmental health in their school community. All Manitoba schools are eligible to apply.

Any school representative (administrator, teacher, support staff, parent council member, or student council representative) can apply on behalf of the school.  Please note only one application per school will receive funding.  Deadline for applications is March 9, 2012.

Sign up here for Healthy Schools eNews.