Solano Safe Routes to School Newsletter

What is Safe Routes To School?

Solano Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is a program that encourages children to safely walk or bike to school by supporting this effort with free, fun, educational events and programs at schools, and by providing safety information and public outreach at community events.

The program works with schools, police agencies, public health staff, city traffic engineers, and other community members to improve traffic safety and the health and well-being of Solano County youth.

The Solano County Safe Routes to School Plan was originally created in 2008 and was updated in 2013. The plan is currently being updated again with input from the community and local partner agencies.

The Plan update will include an evaluation of progress on goals and objectives from the STA 2013 SR2S Plan, school site walk audit evaluations for pre-selected schools around the county, an introduction to new program materials, and a list of future projects around Solano County school sites. The Plan is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2024. The 2023 Safe Routes to School Plan update is intended to guide continued investments in safety projects around schools, programmatic needs to encourage active transportation within the school community, and address pedestrian and bike safety for students and families. Using a very simple interactive map, please take a moment to point out locations where you think improvements should be made. Your insights will help update our Safe Routes to School Plan! Click here to begin.

For more details on the 2024 Plan update, please contact Amy Antunano, SR2S Assistant Program Manager, at Aantunano@sta.ca.gov

STA 2013 SR2S PLAN

Gear up! National Bike to School Day (B2SD) is just around the corner on Wednesday, May 8, 2024!

B2SD is not just about the journey, but about fostering a sense of community, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and reducing traffic congestion. By encouraging students to pedal their way to school, we instill a love for physical activity, teach valuable road safety skills, and contribute to a greener planet.

To make this day even more fun, our SR2S Team is offering exciting incentives for participating schools that register through SR2S. These incentives are available while supplies last, so don't miss out on the chance to amplify the pedal power at your school!

Let's come together on May 8th to celebrate the joy of wheeling to school and make a positive impact on our schools and neighborhoods!

APRIL 10: STA Board Meeting - SR2S Micro Grant Awardees to be announced
MAY 1: Green Valley Middle School Community Bike Workshop
MAY 8: National Bike to School Day
MAY 8: STA Board Meeting - Highschool outreach projects to be presented
MAY 15: SR2S Advisory Committee Meeting
MAY 15: Rio Vista Community Bike Mobile

For other fun, related bike activities, visit the Solano Mobility website.

SOLANO MOBILITY

Music Notes Assemblies

October 17-20, 2023 and March 19-22, 2024

Get ready to move and groove while learning the ABC's of safety with Music Notes! Our newest SR2S program is a high-energy, concert-style assembly that brings learning to life through hip-hop songs and videos. Music Notes is an educational music enterprise co-founded by math teachers from the Los Angeles area. They offer top-tier educational music and videos for educators and their students.

In October 2023, Music Notes and our SR2S coordinators visited Browns Valley Elementary (Vacaville), Robert Semple Elementary (Benicia), Scandia Elementary (Travis), and Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy (Vallejo). They also performed for a group of over 20 students in the after school program, Right At School, located at Nelda Mundy Elementary (Fairfield).

In March 2024, Music Notes and our SR2S coordinators visited B. Gale Wilson Middle (Fairfield), David Weir Preparatory Academy (Fairfield), Dan Mini Elementary (Vallejo), Joe Henderson Elementary (Benicia), Padan Elementary (Vacaville), and Dixon Montessori Charter School (Dixon).

We loved singing and dancing with students throughout Solano County!

For information on other SR2S Programs, please visit our website at https://solanosr2s.ca.gov

STA's 26th Annual Awards - Safe Routes to School Category Winner

November 8, 2023

Lincoln Elementary School (Vallejo City Unified School District) was the recipient of the Safe Routes to School Award at the 26th Annual Solano Transportation Authority Awards. This category honors either an individual or school that has worked to champion the Safe Routes to School Program and its mission of improving safety and health for our school children.

Solano County Supervisor, Erin Hannigan, accepting the SR2S STA Award on behalf of Lincoln Elementary School

Public Safety Education and Enforcement Grant

October 2023

SR2S is pleased to announce that STA Board approved funds from the Public Safety Education and Enforcement Grant have been awarded to the City of Benicia and Suisun City Police Departments. This grant aims to partner with local law enforcement agencies to assist with enforcing traffic regulations while enhancing public safety to create safer routes for students traveling to and from school.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

International Walk and Roll to School Day (W2SD)

October 4, 2023

International W2SD is an annual event that encourages students and families to walk, bike, or roll to school on a regular basis as part of a healthy, active lifestyle and to help reduce traffic concerns in neighborhoods surrounding schools. SR2S would like to thank the following 45 schools for participating in W2SD 2023:

Alamo Elementary
Anderson L. Elementary
Angelo Rodriguez High
Anna Kyle Elementary
Annie Pennycook Elementary
B. Gale Wilson Elementary
Benicia Middle
Browns Valley Elementary
Cooper Elementary
Cordelia Hills Elementary
Crystal Middle
D.H. White Elementary
Dan Mini Elementary
Dan O. Root Elementary
Dixon Montessori Charter
Early College High
Edwin Markham Elementary
Eugene Padan Elementary
Fairmont Charter Elementary
Fairview Elementary
Federal Terrace Elementary
Foxboro Elementary
Glen Cove Elementary

Grace Patterson Elementary
Green Valley Middle
Gretchen Higgins Elementary
Hemlock Elementary
Highland Elementary
Joe Henderson Elementary
Lincoln Elementary
Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy
Mary Bird Early Childhood Education Center
Mary Farmar Elementary
Matthew Turner Elementary
Nelda Mundy Elementary
Oakbrook Elementary
Orchard Elementary
Riverview Middle
Robert Semple Elementary
Scandia Elementary
Solano Middle
Steffan Manor Elementary
Suisun Elementary
Tolenas Elementary
David Weir Preparatory Academy

Bike Mobile at Fairfield Civic Center Library

February 21, 2024

In collaboration with the dedicated Librarians and Bay Area Bike Mobile Mechanics, SR2S staff spent the afternoon engaging with community members. The collective effort resulted in 18 bikes being repaired, ensuring that more community members can enjoy the benefits of safe and well-maintained bikes.

SR2S Program Coordinator, Crystal Peacher, with mechanics from the Bay Area Bike Mobile and Solano County Librarians

Bike Mobile at Vintage Valley Park

December 13, 2023

The weather was sunny and perfect for a Bike Mobile event at Vintage Valley Park in the City of Fairfield on Wednesday, December 13th. Over the course of the two-hour event, our SR2S coordinators were able to engage with families while Bay Area Bike Mobile mechanics repaired over 15 bikes.

Bike Mobile at Fairfield PAL Center

February 15, 2024

The SR2S Staff and the Bike Mobile Team stopped by the Fairfield Police Activities League (PAL) Center to repair some bikes and teach the older youth PAL members how to maintain their bikes on their own. A total of 18 bikes were repaired and each of their riders went home excited to be able to get back on their bikes!

Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month

September 2023

In honor of Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, the City of Fairfield’s Traffic Planner, Tina Tran, partnered with Janelle Gregorio from STA and Officer Sandoval from the Fairfield Police Department to share some valuable tips for crossing the street safely.

Trouble playing the video? Watch it on YouTube here.

Helmet Fitting and Education at John Knight Middle School

January 26, 2024

Staff at John Knight Middle School worked to identify 26 students that routinely rode a bike to school but did not wear a helmet. SR2S Staff visited their school to provide helmets and educate these students on the proper way to wear helmets. Principal Bugalski and School Resource Officer Kerner attended as well to show their support.

Bike Mobile at Dixon Montessori Charter School

August 25, 2023

Every school year, the PTA at Dixon Montessori Charter hosts our SR2S Staff and the Bike Mobile team. This year, 13 bikes were repaired and 24 helmets were fitted and distributed to students in need.

Bike Mobile at Riverview Middle School

February 9, 2024

Riverview Middle School hosted SR2S Staff and the Bay Area Bike Mobile team. They were able to service 10 bikes. Thank you to Dennis Elliot, STA's Bicycle Advisory Committee member, for promoting and attending the event.

Airport Day

September 9, 2023

Solano SR2S teamed up with other STA departments to reach out to Rio Vista citizens for the city's Airport Day Celebration. Rio Vista Public Works Director, Beth Roberts, estimated a total attendance of 2,000 citizens.

Bike Mobile at DH White Elementary School

February 5, 2024

The Bike Mobile at DH White Elementary was a success with the mechanics repairing 10 bikes. SR2S Staff provided helmets to students in need, after educating them on how to properly fit and wear them.

Bike Mobile at Scandia Elementary School

February 28, 2024

SR2S Staff and the Bike Mobile Team were greeted at Scandia Elementary School by over 100 students and their families. During this 2-hour event, over 30 bikes were serviced.

Ruby Bridges W2SD at Kairos Charter School

November 14, 2023

Students at Kairos Charter School celebrated Ruby Bridges W2SD, which is an annual day to commemorate Ruby Bridge's historic steps against racism.

Walk or Wheel Day

Over 200 students participate by walking or wheeling to school one day every month at Kairos Charter School.

The Padan Panthers hold their walk or wheel day weekly where over 500 students get to use alternative modes of transportation.

What a great way to start the day!

Bike Safety For Kids at JFK Library

February 28, 2024

SR2S Staff visited the JFK Library to lead an impactful story hour about pedestrian and biking safety. Attendees also had a fun time dancing to songs from SR2S Partner, Music Notes. Drawings that attendees created depicting "How I Stay Safe" will be displayed in the children's section of the library.

Leaven Kids Resource Fair

January 27, 2024

SR2S joined other service providers at the Leaven Kids Resource Fair at the Norman King Center to promote STA and SR2S programs. SR2S Staff and consultants collected input from Vallejo citizens regarding pedestrian and bike safety for the SR2S Plan update.

PedalFest

September 24, 2023

Solano SR2S Program Coordinators collaborated with Bicycle Advisory Committee member, Dave Belef, for the City of Vallejo's annual PedalFest. Our coordinators were able to engage with over 100 individuals about bicycle safety through our Bike Rodeo program.

Bay Area Bike Mobile

With funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the Solano SR2S Program is offering free Bike Mobile events throughout Solano County: your go-to solution for bike maintenance and repairs!

Many students face the frustration of having their bikes out of commission due to maintenance issues, and that's where the Bike Mobile steps in. The dedicated team of skilled mechanics are here to not only fix your bike troubles, but to also empower riders with the knowledge to maintain their bikes at home. These events include bike repairs and interactive sessions to teach riders essential care tips, all brought directly to your school or community for free!

Duration: 2-4 hours

For information on other SR2S Programs, please visit our website at https://solanosr2s.ca.gov

The Solano Safe Routes to School program is guided by the SR2S Advisory Committee, comprised of community members from cities and disciplines within Solano County. The committee meets quarterly and gives recommendations for funding projects and programs to the STA Board.

The SR2S Advisory Committee meets virtually via Zoom, and/or at the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) building from 1:30-3:00pm. Meeting dates, Zoom links, and agendas can be found on the STA Calendar.

All of our SR2S team members can assist your school; however, each school district and private school is assigned their own Program Coordinator to give personalized and efficient service. Our team is available to work with you to offer events and activities (either in-person or virtually) for your school community.

We look forward to meeting and engaging with schools to provide educational programs, resources, and guidance to make walking, biking, and rolling to school a safe and healthy journey for students and their families.