Issue: 01 January 2020
Welcome to Cross County Connection's South Jersey Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Newsletter! Through a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), Cross County Connection assists schools, school districts and municipalities in South Jersey with developing fun and educational events and activities to enable and encourage children in grades K-8, including those with disabilities, to safely walk and bicycle to school. We also provide technical assistance with assessing the physical environment around schools and provide strategies to make it safer.

If your school, school district or community is interested in learning more about SRTS, contact Cross County Connection TMA at (856) 596-8228.
NOMINATE YOUR SCHOOL & MUNICIPALITY
FOR THE NJ SRTS RECOGNITION PROGRAM!
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JANUARY 31, 2020
It is that time of year again, when municipalities and schools (public, private,
or charter) will be recognized for their commitment and support of the Safe Routes to School program. Contact your SRTS Coordinator, Latifah Sunkett, to assist with nominations ( municipalities and schools are also free to nominate themselves).

The first step toward having your SRTS program recognized is to complete the  online nomination form  and identify a SRTS Champion to build and lead your team. There are three recognition levels: bronze, silver and gold. Your recognition level is based on the achievements of your SRTS program. Has your school held events such as Walk to School Day? Do you provide bike parking? Have you completed a School Travel Plan? If so, you should be recognized for your achievements! The complete list of requirements to achieve each level of recognition can be found   here . The list of requirements for municipalities can be found   here .

Recipients will be presented with a certificate documenting your level
of recognition and have your achievement shared and promoted on the
NJ SRTS website and social media.

Here is some helpful information regarding the SRTS Recognition Program:
Check out our  webinar  about the SRTS Recognition Program
Certification is valid for three years.
Deadline is January 31st each year, which is just ONE WEEK FROM
TODAY!
Participating in the Safe Routes to School recognition program can also assist with Sustainable Jersey and Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification efforts. Many of the activities recognized through the Safe Routes to School Recognition program can also be used to obtain points towards Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. As an added bonus, municipalities will earn 10 points towards Sustainable Jersey Certification if they achieve a SRTS recognition level of silver or higher. You can find out more about the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program here and the municipal Sustainable Jersey program here
UPCOMING EVENTS & WEBINARS
FEBRUARY 06, 2020 - 1:00 PM TO 2:00 PM

ONLINE

As a  trusted voice,  municipalities and schools can play an important role in making sure the 2020 Census accurately reflects your community. This is critically important since the Census data will dictate how federal funding is allocated and political maps are drawn for the next ten years. Learn more about the 2020 Census, the various resources and tools you can use to educate your community, how your efforts will pay off with certification points today, and the equitable distribution of Federal funding and political representation for the next decade. For more information about how your green team can get involved in 2020 Census education and outreach efforts, download the  flyer .

Quote of The Month

“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.”

-Mary Davis



Ronda R. Urkowitz 
P.P., AICP
Executive Director
(856) 596-8228

Latifah Sunkett
SRTS Coordinator
(856) 596-8228

SRTS Resources:


 

Communities can earn Sustainable
Jersey and Sustainable Jersey
Schools certification points by
participating in SRTS!

Learn more at: 


Sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Transportation with funding 
from the Federal Highway Administration. The Federal Government and the NJDOT
assume no liability for the contents.