This week, the Canadian Cancer Society, Near North District School Board, and North Bay
Parry Sound District Health Unit launched a Trottibus Walking School Bus service at Alliance Public School and Vincent Massey Public School.
The Walking School Bus service will run every morning of the week at Alliance (2 routes), and every Wednesday morning at Vincent Massey (3 routes).
This pilot initiative will coincide with International Walk to School Month (October), and conclude on Nov 4th.
Program officials believe a Walking School Bus is especially beneficial to parents of young children (Kindergarten to Grade 4), who don’t currently have the means to supervise their child’s walk to school and whose neighbourhoods may pose some safety concerns.
With 91% of Canadian children not meeting the Physical Activity guidelines, the Walking School Bus is the perfect way to weave 20 additional minutes of physical activity back into the school day.
By walking with a trusted adult along a safe route on a reliable schedule, young children learn pedestrian safety, make friends in their community, enjoy daily exercise, and arrive in the classroom energized and ready to learn.
The Canadian Cancer Society has received funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to support the implementation of the Trottibus Walking School Bus program in Ontario: North Bay has been selected as one of the two communities in the province to pilot this project.
As of the launch date, over 30 children have registered, and officials expect the demand to grow.
If the fall 2016 pilot run is a success, the Canadian Cancer Society will work with the Health Unit to expand the program and bring it to the other school boards in the 2017-2018 school year.