Washington Twp. Schools Earn Safe Routes Recognition

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Three Township of Washington Schools and the township itself were honored in the May 2019 New Jersey Safe Routes to School program.

The NJ Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a statewide initiative to enable and encourage students to safely walk and bicycle to school. According to their website, the SRTS mission is to empower and assist communities with identifying issues, creating partnerships and implementing projects and programs to encourage walking and biking to and from school as a safe, daily activity.

The two schools to receive a gold award were:

• Jessie F George Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School

Washington Township received a silver award while Washington School received a first steps recognition award.

Municipalities and schools (public, private, or charter) are recognized for their commitment and support of the Safe Routes to School program. Recipients are presented with a certificate or award depending on the level of recognition as well as listing and promotion on the NJ SRTS website.

Gold award winners must first meet the silver requirements, show ongoing support from parent teacher organizations, a local Green Team, or a school wellness council. Schools must also have either a school travel plan in place, implement an "innovative program" or project, or adopt a SRTS-supportive policy.

Silver winners must meet the bronze award requirements. They must also meet one of the following requirements: Conduct a walkability/bikeability assessment, keep school-wide student arrival and departure travel mode tallies, implement at least two SRTS programs, and host an ongoing, year-round travel program.

For more information about the SRTS program, click here.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com