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ON THE MOVE

Municipal Partners

Resources and Information for Municipalities


A main factor contributing to the success of the School Travel Planning (STP) Model and approach (which is aimed at increasing rates of active school travel) is cross sector collaboration. This includes the involvement and support of municipal partners. Municipal staff and elected officials are welcome to join local school Active School Travel Committees where they can offer ideas and suggestions to address all 5Es of  active school travel. Of particular importance is the role municipalities can play in addressing barriers and improving conditions to increase active school travel.  

Ontario Active School Travel outlines the steps to success as the Five E’s – Education, Encouragement, Engineering, Enforcement and Evaluation.  For example, in terms of Engineering, municipal partners support the goal of creating safe and accessible school sites, neighbourhoods and routes to school by implementing strategies such as traffic calming measures, parking restrictions and crossing guard programs as well as installing wayfinding signage or making crosswalk improvements and other land-use and transportation planning policy decisions that prioritize walking/cycling connectivity, safety, facilities and maintenance. 

We want to work together with our local municipalities and school boards to support more walking and wheeling to school. Contact us to learn more about current Simcoe Muskoka On the Move activities and what has been occurring in your area. You can also consider attending Simcoe Muskoka On the Move Steering Committee meetings to hear the perspectives of regional partners and participate in decisions about how to increase and sustain active school travel across Simcoe Muskoka. 

The following links to additional information and resources may be of interest:

Ontario Active School Travel Ideas Lab (Searchable catalogue of inspirational ideas and how-to resources)
Ontario Active School Travel Fund (Current and Past Projects)
Solutions that Work (Factors contributing to the success of the School Travel Planning Approach)
Canadian School Travel Planning Toolkit: Guide for Facilitators

 

 

To create an identity for the On the Move initiative across Simcoe Muskoka, and increase awareness of the On the Move activities occurring in the region, an On the Move Design Package and Brand Guide have been developed.

The Design Package and Brand Guide is intended for use by those involved in the On the Move initiative to create customized On the Move promotional products (e.g. colouring sheets, digital display, event templates, letterhead, posters, PowerPoint presentations, social media, student certificate).

The variety of templates and files offer colour and design options using On the Move logo, characters and backgrounds as displayed below.
While many of the templates and files can be simply adapted by project partners (e.g. MS Office files), some of the templates and files are specifically designed to be used with the support of graphic designers.
Oli_Summer_Skateboard_RightFlash_Summer_Walking_RightSunny_Summer_Bus_LeftPetal_Summer_Biking_LeftWylie_Summer_Wheelchair_Left
OTM neighbourhood bkg
To obtain the On the Move Design Package and Brand Guide, please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected]

On the Move vinyl banners, feather flags and poster boards with A-frames have been created for the On the Move partners to use for school, municipal/community activities and events.

Vinyl Banner                                                       Feather Flag
OTM_Cloth_BannerOTM Feather Flags

Poster board A-frame
OTM_A_Frame

 

To borrow these items, please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected]

We will respond to your request within 5 business days. It may take 7 to 10 days to arrange the items for pick-up depending on availability.

stp roll up banner mockup 

To borrow the School Travel Planning – Roll-up Banner, please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected].

We will respond to your request within 5 business days. It may take 7 to 10 days to arrange the items for pick-up depending on availability. 

We have created videos for our partners to use. The entire video series can be found on our YouTubeSimcoe Muskoka On The Move playlist.

 

Below is a sample of social media messaging under a variety of themes that partners in Simcoe Muskoka can adapt, use and share to promote active school travel.

Graphic images using the On the Move brand guide have also been created to go along with the social media messages and can be found below. 

Additional social media ads can be found on the Ontario Active School Travel website.

 

THEME: Mental Health and Wellbeing

  1. Life can feel so busy. By walking 🚶 or wheeling 🛴🚴👨‍🦽 to school with your child you can create memorable moments and spend quality time together! bit.ly/3E2BNE6 #ActiveSchoolTravel #OntheMove
  2. Walking 🚶 or wheeling 👩‍🦽 to/from school with your child can be a great way to spend quality time together. It can be a way to connect, communicate and learn about their interests. Stay connected by being #OntheMove. https://bit.ly/3FFUPPG
  3. As the weather changes, keep up with your walking 🚶 & wheeling 👨‍🦽🛴🚴 to/from school! It’s an easy way to give your body and your brain a boost! bit.ly/3RmnSeP #ActiveSchoolTravel
  4. Do you spend many hours during the day being sedentary (watching tv or doing other screen time activities)?  Consider adding #PhysicalActivity into your day by walking🚶 or wheeling👨‍🦽 to/from school with your child. The whole family will benefit! bit.ly/3E2BNE6

 

THEME: Building Skills and Confidence

  1. Hey parents, you are a role model and watching you is one of the ways kids learn and gain the skills and confidence they need to get #OntheMove and walk or wheel to/from school. Refresh your own walking & cycling safety knowledge and skills. Visit bit.ly/3vj5nzX.
  2. It’s important to consider your child’s age, abilities and experience when making decisions about walking or wheeling to/from school. Check out these age-friendly tips to help you plan your child’s active school journey. 🚶https://bit.ly/3DoAkWx #ActiveSchoolTravel
  3. The time before/after school is usually a busy part of the day for families. Walking 🚶 & wheeling 👨‍🦽🛴🚴 to/from school may not be possible every day, and that’s okay! Choose a day each week to get #OntheMove and create memorable moments! bit.ly/3E2BNE6 #ActiveSchoolTravel
  4. Using pedestrian crossings when available is one of many ways to stay safer along your journey to/from school. Visit https://bit.ly/3JT3qSP for more safety tips when walking 🚶 or wheeling 👨‍🦽🛴🚴 to/from school. 
  5. It’s important for children to wear a properly fitted helmet when they wheel 🛴🚴 to/from school, their friends house, or in the neighbourhood! Learn how to choose the right helmet for your child; https://bit.ly/3Aes7mR
  6. Walking 🚶 to/from school is a fun and easy way to get more #PhysicalActivity and fresh air into the day! It’s important to stay safe along the journey. Check out these easy tips that can make a big difference; https://bit.ly/3GH0giN #ActiveSchoolTravel #OntheMove

 

THEME: Healthy Outdoor Environments

  1. Is your child eligible to ride the school bus 🚌? It’s important that they take the bus as much as possible of being driven to school. Fewer vehicles in school zones helps improve air quality and reduces traffic congestion around schools. https://bit.ly/3SRbNiC #OntheMove
  2. #DYK reducing the number of children being driven to school reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. This improves air quality and enhances safety around the school zone. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3SQPERq
  3. Walking 🚶 & wheeling 👨‍🦽🛴🚴 to/from school helps children get active and connect with others and nature. Explore the plants and animals in your neighbourhood and reduce your carbon footprint. Check out these activities https://bit.ly/3XlHRgK to help get #OntheMove
  4. #DYK walking & wheeling to/from school is a great way to fight against climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, we can improve the air we breathe right here in Simcoe Muskoka! You can be a climate champion with #ActiveSchoolTravel. bit.ly/3RmnSeP

 

On The Move Graphic Images

You can download the On the Move graphic images and use them when posting On the Move social media messages. These graphic images are to be used by those in Simcoe Muskoka involved in and promoting the On the Move initiative and are not to be modified.

An On the Move post frame is also available for those who want to use their own stock images and want to include the On the Move logo. Information on how to use the On the Move post frames is available within the zip file.

To download social media graphics click here

Below is a sample of social media messaging based on Ontario Active School Travel (OAST) events. Partners in Simcoe Muskoka can adapt, use and share social media messages to promote the OAST events.

Graphic images using the On the Move brand guide have also been created to go along with the social media messages and can be found below. 
Additional social media ads can be found on the Ontario Active School Travel website.

THEME: Back to School (August/September)

  1. The start of a new school year means creating new routines like walking 🚶 & wheeling 🛴🚴👨‍🦽 to/from school. Plan and practice your route before the first day of school and get ready to be #OntheMove. #BackToSchool
  2. The word is out! Get #OntheMove! Have your children join others who are walking & wheeling to school this year so they have a healthy start to the day. bit.ly/3OC4CJ9 #BackToSchool


THEME: International Walk to School Month (October)
  1. #DYK October is International Walk to School Month? Parents & caregivers can benefit from active & social time with their children & help the environment by not driving. https://ow.ly/n3NU50PitzI #ActiveSchoolTravel #OntheMove #IWALK
  2. Happy International Walk to School Month!  Join in by walking, wheeling or scooting with your children to/from school. Support your children to use active transportation all school year long. https://ow.ly/n3NU50PitzI #ActiveSchoolTravel #OntheMove #IWALK


THEME: Winter Walk Day (February)
  1. #WinterWalkDay is a great way to have children engage in #activetransportation & increase #physicalactivity. Learn more about #WinterWalkDay - bit.ly/3jdZMrg
  2. DYK that (date) is #WinterWalkDay? A great time for kids to walk to school! Join them for a breath of fresh air & #physicalactivity! Find out how schools can register to participate bit.ly/3jdZMrg


THEME: Spring into Spring Month (April)
  1. Happy Spring to our amazing schools in Simcoe & Muskoka! Looking for a way to brighten things up and take advantage of the fresh air & warmer weather?  Get involved in #SpringintoSpring and celebrate walking & wheeling to/from school this April. Check out https://bit.ly/3x8dsYQ 
  2. It’s time to #SpringintoSpring! #DYK walking & wheeling 👨‍🦽🛴🚴 to/from school is celebrated in April? Many schools organize Spring into Spring activities for students and families to welcome spring and celebrate walking & wheeling. Check out https://bit.ly/3x8dsYQ  #OntheMove


THEME: Bike to School Week (May/June)
  1. Plan for #BiketoSchoolWeek happening (date)! Visit https://bit.ly/3ocZlQs for tips to prepare your child to ride to/from school. 🚴
  2. #BiketoSchoolWeek is here! Get active by wheeling to/from school during #BiketoSchoolWeek! 👨‍🦽🛴🚴 https://bit.ly/43oHxCh

On The Move Graphic Images

You can download the On the Move graphic images and use them when posting On the Move social media messages. These graphic images are to be used by those in Simcoe Muskoka involved in and promoting the On the Move initiative and are not to be modified. 

An On the Move post frame is also available for those who want to use their own stock images and want to include the On the Move logo. Information on how to use the On the Move post frames is available within the zip file.

To download social media graphics click here

On the Move wayfinding signs have been installed in some local school zones by municipal staff. The signs were designed by partners of the Simcoe Muskoka On the Move initiative using Ontario Active School Travel funding.  

The signs encourage active school travel by identifying the estimated time it would take to walk or wheel to school from that specific location. 

The following is an example of a sign posted in a local school neighbourhood.

On The Move Collingwood sign
Installing more signs in our local school zones is a great way to increase the promotion of active school travel in our region.

While funding is no longer available, print-ready PDF versions of the signs are available for download and linked below.  Each of the three versions of the signs display different distances (e.g., a 5 minute walk to school and a 3 minute wheel to school; a 10 minute walk and a 5 minute wheel to school; or a 15 minute walk and an 8 minute wheel to school).    Local municipalities are invited to download and the have signs made by their own printer.                                        

 5 Minute Walk   10 Minute Walk   15 Minute Walk
 OTM Wayfinder Sign Bleed 5walk_3wheel OTM Wayfinder Sign Bleed 10walk_5wheel OTM Wayfinder Sign Bleed 15walk_8wheel
 

Additional options for the signs include adding the name of the municipality, or a logo and QR code.   Adding a QR code is useful for providing additional information (e.g., a link to the municipality’s website, or this simcoemuskokaonthemove.ca website).

OTM Signs_QRandLOGO_Temp 5walk_3wheelOTM Signs_QRandLOGO_Temp 10walk_5wheel OTM Signs_QRandLOGO_Temp 15walk_8wheel

The version of the sign shown above (which includes white space for a logo and QR code) is a printable PDF that can be downloaded and sent to a printer with the logo and QR code to be added.

To request a print-ready PDF version of the sign to download with the name of your municipality on it, please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected].   
We will respond to your request within 5 business days.

OTMFootPrints 

 A variety of stencils have been developed for applying to a hard ground surface to encourage walking and wheeling to school. They can be borrowed at no cost.

The stencils are packaged together as a kit and transported in a carrying case. Along with instructions, the kit includes 16 different stencils ranging in size from 6 inches by 6 inches, to the largest stencils sized at 48 inches by 26.5 inches. 

In addition to the On the Move logo, the stencils include a variety of symbols, letters and numbers which can be combined in a creative way to help make the journey to school active and fun (e.g., creating a flower with motivational messages, jumping through a sidewalk game of hopscotch). Another idea is to apply the stencils to a paved area on the school site to help map out a course/stations for teaching cycling skills. 

 images of items Hopscotch 

We encourage the use of the On the Move logo as part of your design to increase awareness and recognition that On the Move represents active school travel in the Simcoe Muskoka region.

The application of the stencils can be temporary (e.g., using chalk) or made more permanent (e.g., using paint).  

The kit does not include chalk or paint. Traffic paint (i.e., road paint) in spray cans is often used as this is more durable and will last longer.  Depending on the location for the stencil application, consultation with the municipality and/or school board facilities department is recommended. Select non-toxic and biodegradable products if available. 

To borrow the stencil kit, please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected].

We will respond to your request within 5 business days.  It may take 7 to 10 days to arrange the items for pick-up depending on availability.

 

Consider I-Spy activity cards to promote active school travel during themed events (e.g., Spring into Spring or Winter Walk Day) or any other time  to make walking fun and interesting.

These cards are suitable for students in kindergarten to grade 3.

Spring into Spring I-Spy Cards.  Spring into Spring  is an annual celebration of the new season, encouraging participants to spend more time being active outdoors throughout the month of April.

 ISpySpring

Winter Walk Day I-Spy Cards. Winter Walk Day is an annual celebration of winter walking that takes place on the first Wednesday of February.

 I Spy Winter Walk

There are two options to obtain these I-Spy activity cards:

1) Available for download from the Ontario Active School Travel website.
2) Available in card stock. To order a limited quantity of I-Spy cards for school/classroom distribution please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected].

We will respond to your request within 5 business days. It may take 7 to 10 days to arrange the items for pick-up.

Looking for a fun learning activity for school aged-children and their families to discover more about active school travel?  Try this word search activity at school or community events.

Download the word search activity here.

Looking for a fun activity to raise awareness about the On the Move active school travel initiative in Simcoe Muskoka, and help younger children and their families to think about using active school travel? Try this colouring activity at school or community events.

Download the colouring sheet here

  PhotoofMoodPencils 

School and municipal partners can request a small supply of On the Move pencils to promote the On the Move initiative for their community events.

Ideally, the pencils would be combined with other On the Move resources to engage or educate children and families about the On the Move initiative and active school travel (e.g., combined with the On the Move word search and/or colouring sheet activities).

There is no cost to request the pencils however, there is a limited quantity available while supplies last.

To order pencils please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected].

We will respond to your request within 5 business days.  It may take 7 to 10 days to arrange the items for pick-up.

Front of business card 

Front
Back of business card

Back

This On the Move business card is ideal for providing the On the Move website address along with key messages that encourage the community to be involved in, and support, active school travel.  

The size of a business card, this resource is small and can be handed out at community events, placed into a card holder, pinned to a bulletin board, or posted on the refrigerator.  It serves as a reminder of the importance of active school travel, and where to find the latest news and information about the On the Move initiative in Simcoe Muskoka. 

To order a supply of business cards, please contact the Health Unit by email at [email protected].

We will respond to your request as soon as possible within 5 business days.  It may take 7 to 10 days to arrange the items for pick-up.

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