Ms. Fonda Lewis
Principal, Gaston Elementary School
July 2023 - Gaston Walking School Bus
At Gaston Elementary, we strive to improve to provide the best possible educational experience and instill the joy of learning in all of our students. Each year, we set goals to track our progress of improvement. During the 2022-2023 school year, one of our building goals was to increase student attendance.
Why does school attendance matter?
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, there is a strong relationship between attendance and achievement. Consistent attendance in elementary school greatly improves a student’s achievement, not only in the elementary years but also impacts a student’s success in high school and beyond!
How can Gaston support student attendance?
Gaston partnered with the Rock County Health Department by applying for and receiving the “Walking School Bus” grant. We know that families are on a tight schedule in the morning, and occasionally transportation to school can be difficult. Our hope was that the “Walking Bus Program” could support our students by reducing barriers to getting to school on time every day.
What is the walking school bus?
The purpose of the bus is to support families in getting their students to school every day, on time, and ready to learn. A walking route was developed, and families were notified of the route. If you saw the “walking school bus” in the Gaston neighborhood, you would see a Gaston staff member as the “bus driver” with a group of students who are walking, or in other words, “riding the bus.” All students were welcome to participate and could be dropped off or join us at any point on the route. The “walking bus” route “filled” with our wonderful students took about 20 minutes to get to school when starting at the first stop.
Was the walking school bus a success?
On average, 13 students joined the “ walking bus” route each school day. One day, there were even 23 students on the “bus”! Our yearly school-wide student attendance rate increased from 83% in the 2021-2022 school year to approximately 90% for the 2022-2023 school year.
Along with the success of getting students to school on time, there were other positive outcomes that we hadn’t anticipated. Social and emotional learning, such as cooperating with others, making friends, and communication, were practiced daily on the walking school bus. Many students shared that they walked to school with the “bus” to see and talk with their friends or teachers. As a new passenger joined the crew, the students would welcome them and help find them a spot in line.
Older students had an opportunity for leadership as they were able to help the younger students. It was common to see our older students on the walk holding hands with, talking to, and helping our younger students along the route. These new student connections improved the school community at Gaston as well. Students learned how to safely navigate the neighborhood, which will support their well-being outside of school hours. One student reported that he enjoyed the walk to school because it helped him get his energy out, so he was calmer at school. Many families shared the positive impact our walking bus had on their children, including making friends, eagerness to wake up and get ready for school, and the benefits of physical activity by walking daily.
All the excitement to join the “walking school bus” created quite a positive buzz in our school, in our district, and in our community. This positive buzz created joy that will hopefully last over time. So what started as a strategy to improve our school attendance created many positive opportunities for students. It is one thing to get students to school, but it is even better to get students to school eager, calm, and ready to learn! Gaston’s walking school bus program will continue next year and because of its success we hope to add another bus route with more adult leaders (drivers). We want all our students to have access to such a positive, inspiring program. #BeloitProud #GoodThingsHappening
