Safe Routes to School

Job Summary:
Marin Safe Routes to Schools is a county funded organization that works with school volunteers to create programs supporting the reduction of school bound commuting cars primarily by carpooling, walking, busing, and cycling.  The Neil Cummins Elementary School participates by holding walk and rolling events, occasional assemblies, having Safe Routes staff run the Safety Art class for kids to paint banners for the campus, having lessons presented by Safe Routes teachers for second grade, fourth grade, and parents riding with kids. The Safe Routes to School team leader is the primary coordinator and contact person between the Neil Cummins school and Marin Safe Routes to Schools. 

I have broken down some of the tasks of a Neil Cummins team leader so that the jobs may be taken on by several volunteers.

Team Leader Representative to Marin Safe Routes to Schools

Marin Safe Routes to Schools holds meetings throughout the year, a new leader meeting is held in August or September, a Team Leader lunch meeting is held in September, a winter lunch meeting in preparation for the spring event, and a thank you wrap up lunch meeting in the spring.

In addition to the event related meetings, the Neil Cummins Safe Routes representative attends occasional Corte Madera and Larkspur task force meetings usually attended by representatives from local schools, city staff,  city council representatives, and police, addressing how the towns can help support our efforts with infrastructure and police support.  The frequency and times vary, but most are held in the afternoon.

Workshop Coordinator
The workshop coordinator is responsible for scheduling the following classes presented by the Safe Routes to Schools instructor:

• Late September, Safety Art.  Safety Art is a brief presentation about the walk and rolling followed by students painting banners to be posted around the campus.
• Fall, second grade “Walk Around the Block” lessons given during motor skills.
• Fall, fourth grade “On the Bike Challenge” lessons given during P.E.
• Fall and Spring, “Riding With Youth” lessons for parents with their children held after school or on the weekend.

Fall and Spring Contest, and International Walk to School Day Captain

This volunteer is responsible for the Walk and Rolling events, organizing volunteers, supplies, and promotion.

International Walk to School Day will be held on Wednesday, October 8 2008.  While it is the second Wednesday in October this year, it is typically held on the first Wednesday of October.

Marin Safe Routes to Schools provides posters, flyers, and small prizes to be given to participants of the International Walk to School Day.  Because of the size of the Neil Cummins campus, we have two check in areas for events with two check in volunteers at each location.

The fall contest is unique to Neil Cummins School and the contest captain chooses the event, designs and prints the forms, orders the mini prizes, and drawing prizes.  This event is funded by the NCPTA.

The spring contest is prepared and paid for by Marin Safe Routes to Schools with all the supplies, mini prizes, drawing prizes, and  cards or forms for the event.

School Pool Coordinator

The Larkspur School District will initiate its first School Pool listing in school directory in fall of 2008.  The School Pool Coordinator will facilitate this process as needed.

Safety Art Volunteer

This volunteer helps the Safe Routes to Schools instructor get set up with paper, access to the utility sink, and any other needs.  This volunteer may wish to help supervise during the painting.  After the painting sessions end, the volunteer collects the dried posters (usually spread around in the sun) selects the best posters, does touch ups with Marksalot markers and white out to improve the “readability” of the posters.  Lastly, the this volunteer tapes the posters up around the campus with clear packing tape, and attends to the posters following the event.

Assembly Coordinator

Marin Safe Routes to Schools created a new assembly in spring 2008 that is performed by Neil Cummins students and parents along with Safe Routes to Schools presenters.  Sets, props, costumes and the director are provided by Marin Safe Routes to Schools.  This assembly is being scheduled to be held 10/2 or 3, or 9/25 or 26.

Event Volunteers

Two to four people are needed to man the two check in areas for each contest.  The check in station is set up 20 -25 minutes before the second bell and wraps up 5 minutes after the second bell allowing the stragglers a chance to check in.  Check ins are held one to two times a week depending on the contest being run.

Important Contact Information Marin Safe Routes to Schools

Program Director Wendi Kallins
415-488-4101
wendi@marinbike.org

Project Coordinator Laura Kelly
415-456-3469 x2#
laura@marinbike.org

Assembly Director, Gwen Froh
256-9399


Questions? Email us at saferoutes@nc-pta.org