Safe Routes to School: George Washington Elementary School

Daly City, CA (2023)

Project Description

The Our Voice Initiative built upon previous collaborations with San Mateo County’s Safe Routes to School program by creating an experimental curriculum that engaged students in the citizen science process and as agents of change in their communities. This experimental curriculum was implemented into a pre-existing general after-school program at George Washington Elementary School. This project focused on assessing the walk and bikeability around the George Washington Elementary School area. In addition, this project aimed to improve students’ advocacy skills. Pre- and post-surveys were used to assess students’ changes in relevant knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions related to civic engagement and personal efficacy as well as their enjoyment of the curriculum experience and the utilization of the Our Voice method. 

Guiding Question 

What makes it easy or hard to walk or bike to places you want to go in your neighborhood?

 

Activities and Outcomes

Through the creation and implementation of this experiential curriculum, and the results of pre- and post-surveys, we identified future changes that would benefit the experimental curriculum. These include: allowing for ample time to identify partners and work with educators to plan for classroom implementation, planning for increased classroom time (at least 60 minutes) when coordinating with school leads, and working closely with educators to understand specific classroom norms before implementing the experimental curriculum. 

People and Collaborators

Project Lead(s): 

  • Jasmine Angelica Nevarez

 

Collaborating Organization(s) / Institutional Partner(s):

  • George Washington Elementary School
  • Safe Routes to School
  • San Mateo County Health Department: Public Health, Policy, and Planning
  • San Mateo County Office of Education

Our Voice Impact

"This experience has changed my life.  I see inadequacies everywhere I go as it relates to pedestrian access and safety.  I even stop [at] construction sites to remind them to be considerate of the handicapped in our community.  Thank you all so much for this awareness and empowerment to require change."

~ Pam Jiner, GirlTrek Advocacy Leader, Denver CO