Iowa Safe Routes to School

FULL-TIME POSITION AVAILABLE with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) as Safe Routes to School Liaison for Northeast Iowa. This position runs through July 31, 2013 in collaboration with the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative (FFI)

The Iowa Safe Routes to School Resource Center is serving as state coordinator for Iowa in Saris Cycling Group's Fifth Grade National Poster Contest. Any and all fifth grade students are encouraged to participate by creating an original design poster with the theme "Bicycling takes me places." Prize will be awarded to the top 3 entrants from each state, 1 poster from each state will then be submitted for the national contest. The national winner will receive an all expenses paid trip for 2 to the 2013 National Bike Summit in Washington DC, and their school will receive a bike parking system and interactive software to log student's rides and implement an incentive program. Submit entries to Nick Sobocinski at the Iowa Bicycle Coalition by March 1st. P.O. Box 5562, Coralville, IA 52241.
Note: only 1 poster can be submitted per school, we suggest having students vote on which poster is submitted if there are multiple entrants per school.

Coralville, IA--January 10, 2012-- Today the Iowa Transportation Commission approved $1,512,885 in total funding for 14 Iowa Safe Routes to School projects. The Commission has provided funding in excess of 1 million dollars each year since 2005 to fund projects that facilitate safer walking and bicycling to school for children. No-match grants are awarded for up to $250,000 for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, 55 grant proposals were submitted for this round of funding.

Making sure that kids stay active during the cold winter months can be tough, but there are many great ways to ensure that children are still getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day during the dark and cold winter days. Whether its getting bundled up to take advantage of the winter wonderland or finding new ways to to stay active indoors the Iowa Safe Routes to School Resource Center has got you and your kid(s) covered. Check out our lists of fun and physical indoor and outdoor activities to keep kids moving throughout the winter

Students gather at a church before walking to school in Okoboji.

Valley Community Elementary students enjoyed a day of bicycle and pedestrian safety during their regular PE class on Thursday. Heidi Skildum and Elizabeth Makarewicz of Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative were accompanied by Nick Sobocinski from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition Kids on the Move Team in presenting safety education to all of Valley’s elementary students. The day also coincided with National Walk to School Month and the opening of a new trail which can be used by students walking or biking to school.