Simcoe Muskoka On the Move is an active school travel initiative led by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit in partnership with several local school boards, schools, municipalities, and community partners.

On the Move encourages children to use active ways to get to and from school—like walking, biking, scooting, skateboarding, or rollerblading—to help them get the daily physical activity they need to stay healthy. Being active on the way to school helps kids move more, feel better, and learn better—and it’s fun! It also helps reduce traffic and improve safety around schools, and keeps the air cleaner, benefiting both students and school communities.

WHY ON THE MOVE MATTERS

Many kids don’t get the 60 minutes of daily physical activity they need. Walking and wheeling to and from school is one of the easiest ways to add some activity to everyday.

Benefits of Active School Travel:

• Helps kids feel awake, alert, and ready to learn
• Improved physical and mental health
• Encourages friendships and positive social connections
• Build’s kids confidence and independence
• Teaches road and traffic safety skills
• Reduces traffic and pollution near schools
• Supports cleaner air and a healthier environment
• Help families stay active together

Why did kids stop walking to school? Check out this video to explore the answers.

WHAT IS ON THE MOVE?

On the Move uses an evidence-based model (called School Travel Planning) to help school boards, schools municipalities and community partners work together to support active school travel, such as walking and wheeling to and from school. On the Move has been implemented by many schools across Simcoe Muskoka Success Stories. You can start it in your community too!
How it Works:

On the Move brings together:

• School boards and school staff 
• Families
• Public health 
• Municipal staff
• Police Law enforcement
• Community partners

All working as one team to improve daily school travel.

Whether you're a school, parent, student or local partner, we can help you “get moving.” Everyone can play a part in creating safer, healthier school communities that support more walking and wheeling.
If a school chooses not to follow the full model of School Travel Planning, Public Health Nurses at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit can offer consultation, tools, and resources to help the school start moving in the right direction.

Our regional On the Move Advisory Committee provides strategic oversight for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the On the Move initiative. As a key resource and support network, the committee offers expertise and collaboration to help drive the initiative’s success.

There is an inventory of free resources and promotional items—such as banners, flags, stencils, displays, and activity cards. These materials are available at no cost to schools, municipalities, community partners, and other local organizations to support local events and active travel promotion.

Visit the On the Move Resource Library to see what's available and how to access it.

FROM IDEAS TO ACTION: CREATING A PLAN

Each school creates a custom Active School Travel action plan that’s built to last and is updated each year. It focuses on 5 key areas—called the Five Es:
🧠 Education Teach skills (traffic/biking safety) and highlight the benefits of active travel. 
🌟 Encouragement Boost excitement through clubs, events & fun challenges.
🛠️ Engineering Design safe school zones with signs, crosswalks, bike racks & more. 
🚓 Enforcement Keep rules in check—manage drop-offs, speeding, and parking safely.
📊 Evaluation Gather data to track success and find new ways to improve. 

EQUITY & ENGAGEMENT: AT THE CORE OF EVERY 

No matter which of theFive E’s schools are working on—Education, Encouragement, Engineering,Enforcement, or Evaluation—everything starts with Equity and Engagement.

That means:

• Making sure all students and families are included and feel welcome
• Creating plans that reflect the real needs of each school community
• Listening, learning, and working together to build something meaningful 

For each school, these two values guide every step. It's not just about getting from point A to point B; it's about making the journey better for everyone. The School Travel Planning model was assessed by Green Communities Canada with Equity and Engagement in mind. Check out some tips and recommendations for using the model in ways to include your whole school community here. 

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