For those who live close enough to walk or bike to school, take some time before school starts to find and practice the route. Look for crosswalks, stoplights, and quieter streets. 

• Join with neighbors and others on your route to set up a Walking School Bus. 

• Find your PTO website and join your PTO Directory to connect with others you could walk or bike with.

• Park & Walk maps identify crossing guard locations, "blue zone" vehicle drop-off areas, and suggested areas to park and walk over to the school. If you live too far to walk the whole way, consider parking further from the school and walking the last 15 minutes. 

• Look for an email from your principal with detailed information on arrival and dismissal procedures. Additional doors may be open to enable physical distancing on the way into school. 

• Need help finding a route? Email NewtonSafeRoutes @ gmail.com for help.

Walking and biking can boost students’ health, physical activity, and even their concentration in school. Many students will benefit from a chance to move their bodies before entering into a school environment that is more physically structured than before.  

• New for 2023, MA Law requires a front white light and a rear red light and reflector at night.

• Drivers must  provide a safe passing distance of at least 4 feet when passing vulnerable road users on bicycles and scooters.

• More on the MA Vulnerable Road User Laws here. 

• Visit our new RRFB page to learn how to use an RRFB and the 21 new RRFB locations for 2023. 

• Yellow bus routes, bus application, METCO bus

• City snow sidewalk routes, Park & Walk maps

• MBTA discount Charlie Card for NPS students and MBTA routes that go by secondary schools.

Wondering about the new pavement markings around Newton, how to best prevent crashes, and what rights cyclists have? Massachusetts Safe Routes to School has a fabulous new flyer with tips for drivers and people on bikes. 

Broken light? Fallen branch? Unshoveled sidewalk? No sidewalk at all? Learn more about how you can help make your child's route safer.

Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. Almost all students are pedestrians at some point in their routes to and from school. Tips for pedestrians and drivers on how to #ShareTheRoad.

What is a Blue Zone? Is it the right choice for your family?

Reminder - the revised snow ordinance includes a fine if you do not remove snow or ice from your sidewalk. Click here to learn more.

Will you walk, roll, bike or bus? Choose what works for your family to celebrate Winter Walk this year! Held annually, this event brings together students across the Commonwealth in celebrating winter and health. 

• Wednesday, June 5, 2024

• Say a special Thank You or write a card for your safety superhero

• Sample Card to print and color here. 

There's never been a quieter time in Newton for a bike ride. This is also a good time to help your child find a bike route to school on calm streets. Make sure your child's bike fits their body (a good article on bicycle sizing) and that you help them check ABC's before they head out (helpful video). And don't forget a properly fitted and adjusted helmet (good guide here). Happy biking!

Newton's bus and van drivers and crossing guards were among the many unsung heroes of the school year. They demonstrated flexibility and resilience as school times and bus routes changed and COVID cases went up and down in our community, and made sure our children got to school safely. 

Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force organized a day of appreciation city-wide on June 11. Thanks to the Newton PTO Council for donating the Safety Superhero buttons and many of you for your donations for the event. 

It's not too late, you can still take a moment to help your child write a card or special note to their crossing guard or bus/van driver to let them know how much they are appreciated. 

Turn off your engine if you'll be waiting more than 10 seconds. Protect children's health and the environment. 

Drivers, Pedestrians and Cyclists, with the end of Daylight Savings Time, slow down, look around, and BE SAFE BE SEEN. 

Week #1. Basic: Over the course of the week, find doors that are red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Remember their locations. Challenge: Now plan, and go on, a longer walk where you find them all in rainbow order. Extra Challenge: Now go on a walk where you find them all in REVERSE rainbow order.

More weekly challenges here: Google Doc

Education, Encouragement, Engagement, Evaluation, Engineering, Equity. Click here to see what the Task Force does in each of these areas.