Last spring, TC West Junior High School was selected as a pilot middle school/junior high school for the State of Michigan’s Safe Routes to School program. To kick off the Safe Routes to School Initiative, Traverse City Area Public Schools, in partnership with the Charter Township of Garfield, Traverse Area Recreation Trails (TART), Grand Traverse County Road Commission, and Grand Traverse County Sheriff Department, conducted a school property assessment at TC West Junior High School in April 2007.The day was designed to work with students, parents, staff, and the community to discuss the merits of the program, its goals, and to compile an assessment of needs on the school site to support safe walking and bicycling to school.

During the 2007-2008 school year efforts will continue towards developing an action plan to make improvements to the TC West Junior High School community and vicinity which will provide a safe environment for walking and biking to school. Kick off events to this year’s Safe Routes to School Initiative include:

• On October 3, 2007, students at Traverse City West Junior High School will have the opportunity to participate in Walk to School Day. Students who arrive by bus or car may opt to “Hike Up the Hill” and walk to school, if only for a day. Buses will drop off students who wish to participate along Franke Road at the Service Drive Entrance. Students who are regularly driven to school are encouraged to be dropped off at the tennis courts parking lot. This way, the benefits of walking or biking to school can be provided to all students. Students dropped off at the remote sites will have volunteers along the route to school to ensure safety. 

• On October 20, 2007 the community will be invited to test several routes to and from Traverse City West Junior High School for walking and biking. Community members will assist the Safe Routes to School team in conducting a “walking audit.” A walking audit is an exercise that allows parents and community members to see what students experience as they traverse to and from school on foot or by bike. The project’s goal is to identify needed improvements along the routes that will make walking and biking to school a safe and viable option for students.

Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is a national and international movement to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children to walk or bike to school. The benefits of SR2S are many. When routes are safe, students can get the regular exercise they need for good health by walking or biking to school. Studies have shown that physically active kids have improved mood and concentration and that physical fitness is related to better test scores on some standardized tests. 

To volunteer for Walk to School Day or to participate in the October 20^th Walking Audit, please call Michelle Haugen, Deputy Planner for Garfield Township, at 941-1620.

To learn more about TC West Junior High School’s Safe Routes to School Initiative, contact:

Contacts:        Rod Lowes, for Traverse City Area Public Schools

Lowesro@csh.tcaps.net or (231) 933-1938

Michelle Haugen, Deputy Planner for Garfield Township

Mhaugen@garfield-twp.comt or (231) 941-1620

Missy Lyuk, TART Trails, Inc.

Missy@traversetrails.org or (231) 941-4300

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