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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 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 On the Move partners in Simcoe Muskoka can adapt, use and share to promote active school travel.

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

 

THEME: COVID-19 

Has COVID-19 left you and your kids looking for more ways to be physically active? Get on the Move with active school travel this Fall. Now is the time to practise walking and wheeling to/from school with your kids. Plan the route to school and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

Did you know kids move more when they’re outside? Get on the Move with active school travel this Fall. Now is the time to practise walking and wheeling to/from school with your kids. Plan the route to school and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

Have you and your family been using your bike and walking more during COVID-19? Keep it going! Practise walking and wheeling to/from school with your kids. Plan the route to school and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

Did you know regular physical activity can help us cope with stress and help our kids sleep and learn better? Good health habits can last a lifetime. Get on the Move this Fall. Practise walking and wheeling to/from school. Plan the route to school and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

COVID-19 has been really hard on us and our kids. A great way to help deal with the stress, is by getting outside and being active.  Start the new school year mentally and physically ready by walking or wheeling to/from school. Practise the school route and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

We all want what’s best for our kids – including healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Start the new school year mentally and physically ready by walking or wheeling to/from school. Practise the school route and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

Parents, let’s do what we can by not adding to traffic congestion around schools this fall. Everyone wants a healthy and safe school environment. Get on the Move by walking and wheeling to/from school when you can – even if you park and walk part of the way. Practise the school route and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

Driving our kids to school is not always a faster option, and more cars adds to school traffic and safety concerns. Get on the Move by walking and wheeling to school when you can – even if you park and walk part of the way. Practise the school route and help your kids develop the skills and confidence they need.

 

THEME: Active School Travel


Gearing up for back to school? Don’t forget how important it can be to include walking & wheeling as part of your child’s school day routine if possible. It provides them with a great opportunity to be physically active every day! Learn more about Active School Travel.

Parents & caregivers can benefit from taking time to walk or wheel with their children to/from school. Walking & wheeling offers a great opportunity for daily #physicalactivity, to get to know your neighbourhood, & to be a good role model for children. #activetransportation

Approx. one-quarter of Simcoe Muskoka students usually use some form of #activetransportation to go to school. #activeschooltravel involves walking or wheeling to/from school & is a great way for children & youth to get more #physicalactivity in their day -#activeschooltravel.

Getting to school in active ways, like walking or wheeling, can still happen in the winter. Walking & wheeling to/from school is one of the easiest ways for children & youth to get regular daily #physicalactivity. Learn more here - Active School Travel.

DYK #activetransportation (#walking & #wheeling to & from school) is one of the easiest ways for kids to get daily #physicalactivity & decrease the time spent sitting & being sedentary in the day? Since spring is here, it’s a great time to #walktoschool & see the world in bloom!

 

THEME: Climate Change and Healthy Environment

 

#DYK walking and wheeling to school is a climate change mitigation strategy that helps fight against climate change? It decreases greenhouse gas emissions which can reduce how much the climate changes in Simcoe Muskoka region and improve the air that we breathe. You can be a climate hero with #ActiveSchoolTravel.

Children’s health is being impacted by climate change in Simcoe Muskoka. We all have a role to play to address climate change. You and your family can #MakeItBetter by walking or wheeling to school, even if it’s just part of the way! It is good for the environment, and good for everyone. Healthy places support healthy people

Fighting climate change is good for children’s healthl! #ActiveSchoolTravel reduces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change AND has added bonuses for human health, like cleaner air for healthy lung and brain development, more physical activity, reduced road traffic injuries and way more!

THEME: International Walk to School Day (October)

Walk-to-School-Logo
Did you know that October is International Walk to School Month and that (date) is International #WalktoSchool Day? Parents & caregivers can benefit too from this active & social time with their children & help the environment by not driving. #physicalactivity #activetransportation #activeschooltravel #IWALK2020

Happy International #WalktoSchool Day! Join in by walking, wheeling or scooting with your children to & from school. Support your children to use active transportation all school year long. Learn more here  #Active2School #IWALK2020

THEME: Winter Walk Day (January)


Winter Walk Day is on (date). #walktoschool with your children to increase daily #physicalactivity & have fun! Learn more about #winterwalkday from @OntarioAST at https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/winter-walk-day/

Winter Walk Day is a great way to have children & youth engage in #activetransportation & increase #physicalactivity. Learn more about #winterwalkday from @OntarioAST here - https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/winter-walk-day/


DYK that (date) is Winter Walk Day? A great time for kids to #walktoschool! Join them for a breath of fresh air & #physicalactivity! Find out how schools can register to participate here -#WinterWalkDay


Parents – tomorrow is Winter Walk Day? Join your kids for a wintery #walktoschool to increase #physicalactivity! Don’t forget to dress for the weather! #WinterWalkDay


It’s Winter Walk Day! Dress for the weather & enjoy the journey to school! #WinterWalkDay #activetransportation #physicalactivity Learn more about the day here

THEME: Spring into Spring Month (April)


Happy Spring to our amazing schools in Simcoe and Muskoka! Looking for a way to brighten things up and take advantage of the fresh air and warmer weather, get involved in Spring into Spring and celebrate walking and wheeling to school this April. Check out https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/spring-into-spring/.

It’s time to Spring into Spring! Did you know walking and wheeling to school is celebrated in April? Many schools organize Spring into Spring activities for students and families to welcome spring and celebrate walking and wheeling. Check out https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/spring-into-spring/.

THEME: Bike to School Week (May)

 Bike-to-School-Logo

May (date) is #biketoschoolweek! #activetransportation (walking & cycling/wheeling to & from school) is one of the easiest ways for children to get regular daily #physicalactivity & reduce the time spent sitting & being sedentary in the day.

It’s #biketoschoolweek - a great time to use #activetransportation to get to & from school! Walking & wheeling gives kids the chance to get to know their neighbourhood & to develop confidence/independence. Also provides a great opportunity to increase #physicalactivity & decrease sitting.

 


 

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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