2.6: Responsible Transportation

Return to Objective 2: Student-driven Sustainability Practices

Action 1: Student Safety Team

Students travel to Baltimore Montessori Public from 26 different zip codes. We encourage ride-sharing and facilitate carpooling connections and approximately 15% of students live nearby, in the surrounding community of Greenmount West, in walking distance to the school.

Our Student Safety Team supports students to dismiss quickly and safely, in order to minimize the time vehicles spend idling in the carpool lane. Student safeties coordinate with carpool staff to help students get to their cars safely and make sure walkers have a clear path along the sidewalk.

Lower Elementary safeties prepare for dismissal.

Photo: November 15, 2019

Upper Elementary safeties prepare for dismissal.

Photo: November 16, 2019

Student Safety Team prepares for to set up for a safe and efficient dismissal process.

Photo: February 10, 2020

Student Safety Team coordinates with carpool door staff to expedite dismissal by tracking down lingering students whose ride has for pick up.

Photo: February 10, 2020

Action 2: Sustainable Field Trips

Field Trip Planning Form SY 19/20

At Baltimore Montessori Public, field trips are known as "going outs" and are typically planned by students.

Our field trip planning protocols prioritize sustainability, with a preference for field trips that rely on sustainable modes of transportation, including walking field trips and public transportation.

Click here for a brief explanation shared by a Montessori guide with parents and caregivers to explain the purpose of a "going out."

Documentation: Field trip planning form, February 10, 2020. All field trips and going outs require a student coordinator. Our planning packet contains the following indication: "Private paid transportation is costly and contributes to air pollution and fossil fuel consumption. When planning field trips, please make every effort to use a sustainable mode of transportation, like the circulator or other public transportation options, or consider a walking field trip."

Prior to the Aquarium field trip, Lower Elementary students engage in a lesson on public transportation.

Photo: February 19, 2020

Prior to the Aquarium field trip, Lower Elementary students engage in a lesson on public transportation.

Photo: February 19, 2020

Putting their new skills to use on a "going out."

Photo: February 20, 2020

Putting their new skills to use on a "going out."

Photo: February 20, 2020

The Charm City Circulator is a free public transportation option in Baltimore City that relies on innovative hybrid buses that are low emitting and environmentally friendly:

Lower Elementary trip to the Aquarium via the circulator.

Photo: February 20, 2020

Lower Elementary trip to the Aquarium via the circulator.

Photo: February 20, 2020

Lower Elementary trip to the Aquarium via the circulator.

Photo: February 20, 2020

Upper Elementary students travel by MARC train to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.

Photo: January 31, 2020

3rd grade trip to DC via public transportation

Photo: June 12, 2019

3rd grade trip to DC via public transportation

Photo: June 12, 2018

3rd grade trip to DC via public transportation

Photo: June 6, 2017

Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary walking field trip to Center Stage

Photo: December 13, 2018

Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary walking field trip to Center Stage

Photo: December 13, 2018

Multiple parent and grandparent chaperones, extra staff, and a traffic monitor help ensure our youngest students can walk safely to and from the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall for their annual visit to experience the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: