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Health & Fitness

Melrose and Wakefield parents asked to fill out the MA Safe Routes Survey

Melrose and Wakefield, MA (January 16, 2014) – Would you like to help create better walking and biking routes to school for students in your neighborhood?

 

Now through February 7, Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield and the City of Melrose and Town of Wakefield Health Departments are asking elementary and middle school parents to please fill out the brief MassDOT’s Safe Routes to School survey (www.masaferoutessurvey.com). Schools that obtain over 50% participation in the survey will be entered into a raffle to win a cash prize!

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The survey takes less than 3 minutes and will help your school plan for more transportation choices.  All responses are voluntary and confidential.

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There will also be pen and paper copies of the survey available at the Melrose Public Library and the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, and in the main office at all elementary and middle schools.

 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program, federally funded by the Federal Highway Division, partners with schools throughout the Commonwealth to help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution near schools while increasing the health, safety, and physical activity of students. Mass in Motion works with communities across the Commonwealth to promote healthy eating and active living for youth and adults.

 

Understanding and evaluating trends of how students and families travel to and from school is a key component to building a successful Safe Routes to School program. Parent responses to this survey provide valuable information and help determine how we can improve the environment around the school, target investments, track progress toward goals and ultimately develop local programs that benefit students, parents and our communities.

 

About Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield, a Program of the City of Melrose and Town of Wakefield Health Departments:

 

Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield works locally to increase opportunities for Melrose and Wakefield residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. Melrose and Wakefield are among 52 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program.  Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield is working to support the implementation of Safe Routes to School, Healthy Market Program, Access to Farmers Markets, Healthy Dining Program, and improving school nutrition initiatives that will make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents.

 

About the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program:

 

The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program is brought to you by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), with funds from the Federal Highway Division. Safe Routes to School models of inclusiveness emphasize a collaborative, community-focused approach that fosters mutual partnerships between advocacy groups, law enforcement, education leaders and public health departments which all work together to promote safer routes for children to get to school. The program serves over 600 elementary and middle schools in 170 communities throughout the Commonwealth.  School Partners receive year-round pedestrian and bicycle safety education instruction as well as engagement initiatives tailored to meet each school’s physical fitness, safety and environmental priorities. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/massdot/saferoutes

 

The Safe Routes to School program is a key component of the Healthy Transportation Compact, an initiative of the Patrick-Murray Administration's historic transportation reform law. The Healthy Transportation Compact is a ground-breaking collaboration between the departments of transportation, health and human services, and energy and environmental affairs that is designed to promote best practices, increase efficiency, and achieve positive health outcomes through the coordination of land use, transportation and public health policy.

 

 

 

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