Planning Routes to School

girl with blonde pigtails and a yellow backpack holds her mom's hand as she waits to board the school bus

There are many options for kids to get to and from school, from walking and biking to driving and public transportation. It’s important to plan for the different routes your child might take, mapping out the do’s and don’ts, contingency plans, and more to make everyone feel safe and confident. Use this Planning Routes List to make the first few days of the school commute seamless.

Planning Routes

GENERAL TO-DOS
Get oriented with a map. Identify terrain or landmarks
Think through the schedule. Work backwards from when your child needs to be at their destination and plan for commute time
Turn on location sharing
Emergency contacts, written or stored in phones
Approved adults and friends that can participate in the commute
Talk to your child about their friends’ behavior, when to know if it’s unsafe
Establish a codeword and safety protocol in the event your child needs to say “no”
Practice their commute with them
Review any school or team transportation rules
Decide on a pickup and drop off location
WALKERS
Decide which streets to take keeping in mind the safety of sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting
Approve stopovers – a friend’s house, grocery store, library, or park
Make it clear where your child is NOT to walk, visit, or stop
In the event of inclement weather, establish a backup plan and/or identify locations where kids can wait for pickup
BIKERS
Discuss why helmets are critical
Choose dedicated paths that shield bikers from moving vehicles
Look for well-lit areas and use reflective gear
Pack inner tube, patch
Consider glasses, gloves, rain gear
In the event of inclement weather, establish a backup plan and/or identify locations where kids can wait for pickup
BUS AND TRAIN RIDERS
Help your child understand the general bus route grid
Learn to read timetables at the bus stop or download local transportation apps
Identify the specific bus route(s) and bus stop(s) you want your child to take (twice if your child has two homes)
Identify transfer stations if there is no direct route
Estimate costs and identify kiosks to refill transportation cards
Talk about bus riding etiquette
In the event of inclement weather, establish a backup plan and/or identify locations where kids can wait for pickup
DRIVERS AND CARPOOLERS
Have a basic understanding of how engines work. Teach what the dashboard lights mean
Review the general layout of roadways
Work with your teen to select regular and alternative routes
Identify gas and/or charging stations along the way
Have a protocol in the event of an accident
Keep insurance cards, registration, and relevant medical information in the glove box
Have contact information for a mechanic and/or towing service
Prepare a roadside safety kit: spare tire, jack, flares, jumper cables, space blanket, water, non-perishable snacks, basic first aid, quart of oil, windshield wiper fluid
In the event of inclement weather, ensure seasonal equipment is already installed or within the car (snow removal tools, tires, chains, gloves, etc.)
Help your teen make good decisions with their phone. Know the laws. Use car mounts, Bluetooth pairing, and charging pads to minimize distraction
Talk about expectations e.g.: when and who fills up the gas tank, oil changes/basic maintenance, cost of car insurance
Communicate consequences. Speeding ticket? Poor grades? Trouble at home or school? Let your teen know what to expect

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Planning Routes to School

Planning Routes

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