To play the audio file press the button above. -- requires Adobe Flash --
For generations, children have walked to school, slogging through the wind and rain. And, I suspect with all too much familiarity, that many young boys and girls have stomped in puddles or chased squirrels along the way.
I'd like to share a story about the work of parent volunteers, partners, and staff members at Washington Elementary who are transforming relationships to ensure that students arrive at school on time, well fed, and ready to learn.
This story is about a Walking School Bus. No, this isn't the Fred Flintstone version. Washington Elementary is the only school in the district where all children walk to school. For years, many students have struggled to get to school on time for breakfast and classes.
This challenge inspired the idea of the Walking School Bus. Under the direction of Denisse Haney, family resource coordinator at Washington Elementary, walking routes are “driven” by volunteers who pick up students at designated stops. One parent drives the bus while another serves as the “caboose,” and the students form a single file conga line in between.
The Vancouver School District Foundation provides financial support for the Walking School Bus, and parent and staff volunteers make it happen. It's a pretty simple concept, but no one fully anticipated the positive response. Initial plans were for 50 participants. So far, 135 students are registered as “riders.” That's more than 25 percent of the student body. Three walking routes are managed and supervised by parent volunteers. It's really remarkable. How do I know?
I was a guest “driver” last Friday. I arrived at 7 o'clock in the morning, and the lead parent volunteer ushered me into the Family Resource Center office. I was given a vest and instructions with a route to follow. I could tell this person was matter of fact. (My momma raised no fool!). I wasn't about to question anything this woman asked me to do.
I was assigned Route 3, which starts about five blocks from the school at the intersection of T St. and Fourth Plain. The route has four stops and typically serves almost 40 students. On Friday, we had a light run with roughly 25 students in tow. At the first stop, I met Miguel, a fifth grader wearing rubber boots and a plastic poncho. We talked a bit about school. Miguel likes math.
As we were walking in a light rain, I marveled at how empowering this experience was for students and parents. Brianna, a third grader, was designated bus captain for the day and was responsible for punching student punch cards.
I also was impressed at the sense of community that the program is creating in the neighborhood and at the school. I witnessed many families fall in line, including one mother and her baby in a jog stroller. And, as you can imagine, we had a parent who miss timed the “bus.”
In fact, I was sent back across St. John's to gather Sabrina, a first grader who looked as if she just woke up. I learned from her mom as I took her daughter's hand that it was her sixth birthday. We hustled back to catch up with the rest of the bus. Brianna, who had fallen intentionally to the back of the line to greet her, punched her card, and then did the kindest thing. She put her arm around her shoulder, and it remained there for the rest of our trip. I loved witnessing this simple gesture of compassion and humanity.
I felt compelled to share this story, because it illustrates so many of the relationships we must attend to: student to student, student to adult, adult to adult, and school to community.
I’d like to thank Denisse Haney for her vision and her ability to mobilize people in service of kids and families. I also want to thank the volunteers who are working hard to make a difference for their children, Washington Elementary, and their neighborhood.
And what of Miguel, my friend who likes math? Well, he just couldn’t pass up an opportunity: rain, a puddle, and some boots. It was a recipe for mischief, but what fun! The more things change, the more they stay the same. I just had to laugh and join in.
Have a wonderful harvest season.
Take care,
- Subscribe to this podcast with iTunes - Copy the feed link and paste it into your aggregator
button above. 
