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Walking School Bus

Fun, safe, physical activity for kids walking to and from school!

What is a Walking School Bus?

A Walking School Bus is a group of students walking to and from school on a planned route with an adult Leader. Much like a school bus, as the students walk to school, they can pick up more classmates along the way.

How does it work??

  • Contact us to find out if there is an ACTIVE Walking School Bus Route near you.
  • Register your student for the Walking School Bus (English) (Spanish)

Let’s Walk and Roll….

The group meets at a designated Meeting Location and follows the planned route.
Park and Walk: Drop off or pick up your student at Meeting Location

To request information about the Walking School Bus program, contact Commute Options.

Hop on, Hop Off! – Live along the route? Students can join us on the way.

Recommended Walking Routes 

Check out our walking maps for recommended walking routes here and start your own Walking School Bus group today.

Bend LaPine School District Suggested Walking Routes

Bear Creek Elementary Walking Route Map

Cascade Middle Walking Route Map

Elk Meadow Elementary Walking Route Map

Ensworth Elementary Walking Route Map

High Lakes Elementary Walking Map

Juniper Elementary Walking Route Map

LaPine Elementary Walking Route Map

Lava Ridge Walking Route Map

North Star Elementary Walking Route Map

Pine Ridge Elementary Walking Route Map

Ponderosa Elementary Walking Route Map – Nasu and Monticello

Ponderosa Elementary Walking Route Map – West

R.E. Jewell Elementary Walking Route Map-The Pines 

R.E. Jewell Elementary Walking Route Map-Parrell

R.E. Jewell Elementary Walking Route Map-Foxborough

REALMs Middle Walking Route Map

Silver Rail Elementary Walking Route Map

Sky View Middle Walking Route Map

W.E. Miller Elementary Walking Route Map

Jefferson County School District Suggested Walking Routes

Buff Elementary Walking Route Map

Madras Elementary Walking Route Map

Metolius Elementary Walking Route Map

Redmond School District Suggested Walking Routes

John Tuck Elementary Walking Route Map

MA Lynch Elementary Walking Route Map

Sage Elementary Walking Route Map

Tom McCall Elementary Walking Route Map

Vern Patrick Elementary Walking Route Map

Sisters School District Suggested Walking Routes

Sisters Elementary Walking Route Map

Benefits

  • Minutes of physical activity increased!
  • Community involvement
  • Learn safe walking tips
  • Students arrive on time and engaged
  • Less congestion at arrival and departure times
  • Cleaner air around school
  • Support for families – children who need to walk can now walk with a group
  • Saving money on gas and time
  • Fun for students, families and the community!

    • Live too far from school?

    You can drop off your student at your school’s meeting location – Park and Walk.

    We are recruiting WSB leaders!

    You can download an application and job description today!

    FAQs

    Do you walk in all weather conditions?
    Yes – rain, snow, ice, and sun. In cases of inclement weather or extremely high Air Quality Index we will follow the schools protocol for cancellations. Leaders will communicate any changes.
    I don’t live on the route - can my student still join the Walking School Bus group?
    YES! This is where the Walking School Bus differs from the normal School Bus – Any students that attend the school can join the group as long as they register. Parents/Caregivers can drop students off at the meeting locations and they can join us – they do not need to live on the route. Avoid drop off area congestion and stress, and drop your student off with us.
    How will the leaders and parents/caregivers communicate with families if there are delays or if a problem arises?
    This is determined by the families registers for the group. GroupMe is an Application we often use (this allows for phone numbers to remain private), but some families prefer a group text or email. We will determine what is best for everyone and implement it as the group is formed.
    Can my student bike or scooter with the Walking School Bus Group??
    Unless it is a Bike Train (which is like a Walking School Bus but EVERYBODY is on wheels – bike, scooter, skate, etc), we recommend all students walk. Sometimes scooters are fine – but if the trail is gravel it can be challenging for scooters. Bikes can be fine too if the rider stays at walking speed and/or walks their bike so they stay with the group.
    What if the Walking School Bus Leader has to call in sick or can not make it?
    We will do our best to find a sub on any day a Leader is not able to be there. If we cannot find a replacement leader from our list of subs, then we will notify families by phone, text, and/or email that we need to cancel.

    Contact

     Commute Options (541) 668-6138

    Contact Us

    Questions? Suggestions?
    Contact us here: info@commuteoptions.org

    Call

    541-668-6138



    Where

    50 SW Bond Street #4
    Bend, OR 97702

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