VA SRTS News July 2008

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Virginia Safe Routes to School News
IN THIS ISSUE
FREE WEBINAR
VDOT Announces Recent SRTS Awards
Free online SRTS Training
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VDOT SRTS Website
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FEATURED ARTICLE

FREE WEBINAR
Exploring the Link Between Physical Activity & Learning

Rae Pica, a children's physical activity specialist, will highlight research on the link between moving and learning. This hour-long Webinar will cover how physical activity promotes brain and cognitive development, stimulates learning and contributes to improved academic success. This webinar is part of the Safe Routes Coaching Action Network (CAN).

When: July 29 @ 2:00pm

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Issue: #1 July 2008
Welcome to the first edition of the Virginia Safe Routes to School (SRTS) newsletter. This newsletter is designed to provide you with news, resources, and success stories related to SRTS. If you have information to share, pass it along, and we will try to include it in future editions. If there are topics you would like to learn more about, by all means, let us know.

For our children's health,
Stephanie Smith
Virginia SRTS Network Organizer
VDOT Awards $1 Million to Promote Biking & Walking to School

Thirteen VA Communites Receive SRTS Grants

July 17, 2008--Governor Tim Kaine today announced more than $1 million in Safe Routes to School funding to 13 school systems, local governments and not-for-profit groups across the Commonwealth to make bicycling and walking to school safer and more appealing to students.

"Walking and biking to school offers a host of benefits to students, communities and the environment," said Governor Kaine. "We want to encourage alternative means of transportation for Virginians of all ages, and these grants will help ensure that our children can get to school safely by foot or bike."

The Safe Routes to School program is designed for localities, schools and not-for-profit groups seeking to improve walking and bicycling opportunities for kindergarten through eighth grade students. Funds can be used for promotion, education and law enforcement activities. Local governments are also eligible to apply for funding to improve infrastructure in the vicinity of schools.

The statewide program is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration.

"We want to encourage walking and bicycling to school in the most safe and fun manner for Virginia's children," said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern. "These funding awards promote safety, provide infrastructure and encourage active healthy lifestyles. Drivers are always reminded to share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians, especially our children."

The following localities will receive funding for infrastructure projects. These can include pedestrian and bicycle crossings, sidewalks, signing and traffic-calming improvements:

City of Charlottesville - $328,280
City of Harrisonburg - $455,335

The following localities, school systems and not-for-profit groups will receive funding to develop and implement local Safe Routes to School programs. The programs can include crossing guard training, outreach, participation encouragement and safety education:

Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation (City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County) - $50,000
Bedford County Public Schools - $15,000
Chesterfield County Public Schools - $25,000
Goochland County Schools - $10,170
Lunenburg County - $25,000
Portsmouth Public Schools - $24,935
Roanoke County Public Schools - $17,610
Salem City Public Schools - $10,000
Town of Stanley - $10,000
Virginia Beach Public Schools - $25,000
Town of West Point - $10,000

The next opportunity to apply for Safe Routes to School funding will begin in August. For more information on funding and the application process, visit the VDOT Safe Routes to School page.

National Center offers free online training for SRTS programs

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has released a free, Web-based version of its Skills for Local Safe Routes to School Program Development training. The training focuses on key steps to comprehensive Safe Routes to School planning, specifically addressing process issues critical to creating a solid framework on which to build a successful program.

The Web-based version of this training allows the user to access and view the training modules at any time. More information.
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