ROC Walking School Bus Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 23, 2015

St. Joseph County Public Library- Pokagon Room

Welcome

Spencer Landeck, from the St. Joseph County Health Department welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Introductions

All attendees were asked to introduce themselves and the organization they represent. Principals from the 6 participating schools were invited along with ROC members.

Recap from the last ROC meeting/Purpose of the group

  • The Walking School Bus Focus Group is one of the four focus groups within the Reducing Obesity Coalition of St. Joseph County.
  • At the previous ROC meeting a portion of the meeting was set aside for the Walking School Bus Program. During this time all ROC members were asked to write on post-it notes their opinions regarding three topics.

Who needs to know about the Walking School Bus?

Expansion ideas and promotion

5year plan- What will it look like?

  • The results were brought to Monday’s Walking School Bus Meeting and the purpose was to discuss the importance of some answers.
  • The purpose was also to fill out a handout regarding the Walking School Bus Program’s issues, goals, next steps, and objectives. (Completed sheet attached)

Results

After going through each category’s responses the top answers were:

Who needs to know?

Parents/Guardians

Principals

Teachers

Law enforcement

City planners

Media

Local agencies

Neighborhood/After school organizations

Expansion Ideas and Promotion

Identify local celeb to partner each school

Representative for each school from the group

Recap school successes in the past

Advertise on SB 150 website

Incentives

Shoes, pedometers, etc. discussed

Signs/Markers

Having safe houses along the route.

End of year celebration

Others discussed not on the list:

Kids take turns being the leader for the school

Singing along the route to school

Log steps for certain grades

5 Year Plan- What will it look like?

All schools in St. Joseph County involved

On the school calendar

Partnering with business/neighborhood organizations by schools

Walking route can be themed with props, signs, and other décor to keep it fun and exciting.

Others discussed not on the list:

Historical discussions/naming of the streets explanations

Dancing along the route

Person in charge picks a subject to discuss or sing with the kids.

Increased communication with neighbors

Increased sense of community

Eventually double the number of schools involved

Walking School Bus form (Attached)

  • Completed issues, goals, next steps, and objectives.

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Next Meeting: To be determined. Will send doodle poll.