Each year, RideWise nominates select schools in Somerset County that take proactive measures to make it safe and fun for students to walk and bike to school for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) recognition. If the nominations are approved by NJDOT, the schools are recognized as a Gold, Silver, Bronze or First Step recipient for three years.
For 2020, the following schools in Bridgewater, Manville, North Plainfield, Rocky Hill, Raritan and Watchung have been nominated for SRTS recognition for programming that includes walking school buses, bike trains, in-school presentations and traffic calming measures.
Silver
Hamilton School – Bridgewater
Hamilton School is dedicated to student safety in and around the school. New traffic signs were recently installed and parking areas were delineated to ensure safe pick-ups and drop-offs. RideWise will conduct over 30 Safety Town presentations at Hamilton School in the 2019-2020 school year.
Bronze
North Plainfield
This is the tenth anniversary of North Plainfield schools partnering with RideWise and SRTS! North Plainfield is the only district in Somerset County where all schools participate in Safe Routes. The five schools regularly have in-class programming, ten Walking Wednesdays, Safety Town presentations, a Crossing Guard Ceremony, two Walking School Buses a year and monthly Walks with the Mayor:
- East End Elementary School
- North Plainfield Middle School
- Somerset Intermediate School
- Stony Brook Elementary School
- West End School
Weston School – Manville
Weston School’s new principal, Aldo Russo, has worked with RideWise on SRTS programming in the past at his previous school and is excited to bring the program into Weston. Eighteen Safety Town presentations are scheduled for the year and plans are underway for several spring events.
First Step
Ying-Hua School – Rocky Hill
Ying-Hua School will be conducting a walkability/bikeability survey in the spring and plans to start in-class pedestrian safety programming.
Valleyview School – Watchung
This year, Valleyview School partnered with RideWise on in-class SRTS presentations. They are now working on expanding their SRTS programming.
John F. Kennedy Primary School – Raritan
John F. Kennedy School is taking the first steps in introducing SRTS programming within the school.
It’s not too late to start working on your school’s Safe Routes to School recognition for 2021. Walk and Bike to School Month in May is just around the corner. Call (908) 704-1011 or email staff@ridewise.org to learn more.
