The Sunnyvale School District and Parent Coordinators are helping to improve physical fitness, reduce air pollution, and decrease traffic congestion around schools and neighborhoods.

We partner with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and the City of Sunnyvale to implement the Safe Routes to School program, which is part of a nationwide effort to encourage walking and biking to school safely. The local plan was developed with support from traffic engineers, public safety, and school administration. To aid in the effort, sidewalks are being widened or created, and several new countdown traffic signals are being installed. 

The Safe Routes to School Program promotes walking, bicycling, and other active forms of transportation for children and their families to get to and from school at all 10 Sunnyvale School District schools. By walking or bicycling to school, children incorporate physical activity into their day and arrive at school focused and ready to learn.

The program teaches students and families about traffic safety, encourages participation in Walk and Bike to School events, and works with the local police officers and traffic engineers to provide safer streets.

"I’m very proud of our strong Safe Routes to School partnership with the Sunnyvale School District and the City of Sunnyvale,” said Sara Cody, director of Public Health/County Health Officer. “Through our joint efforts, children and families are encouraged to live healthier, more active lives, and together we are working towards safer streets and improved air quality. By walking and biking to school, students are making a positive change in their community."

The Sunnyvale School District does all it can to emphasize physical and emotional safety and promote wellness at each school site and hopes families will partner with us to encourage healthy habits for their children as well.

For more information about Safe Routes to School and volunteering opportunities, contact your school’s Outreach Coordinator or visit the Santa Clara County Public Health Department website at www.sccphd.org/traffic. Check out a video about how the program works below.