Hybrid Walking School Bus Pilot Program

Two special schools have been selected to participate in OSTA’s new Hybrid Walking School Bus (HWSB).

Georges Vanier CES
St. Rita CES

If your child walks to school, they can now join up with some friends and a trained leader and trained volunteers to accompany them to school. The Hybrid Walking School Bus (HWSB) is designed to promote active transportation and healthy living. Students walk to school with a group of 10 to 30 peers and a professional leader and trained volunteers, following a specific route and schedule.
Similar to an adult crossing guard, each HWSB has one paid leader who has been trained by the Ottawa Safety Council, screened and first-aid certified.

HWSB’s will have at least one additional volunteer leader who will also be screened and trained by Ottawa Safety Council to walk with your child to school.

They follow a specific route and schedule which has been approved by OSTA and its partners. Walking to school is a safe, convenient, healthy and fun way for your child to travel to school with their friends. It helps them get the daily physical activity they need to be healthy and concentrate better at school.

OSTA’s Hybrid Walking School Bus (HWSB) Pilot program is offered at 2 Ottawa schools. These schools have been selected for their demonstrated commitment to promoting walking to school. The HWSB operates every school day in the morning at the schools listed below.

Registration for current Walking School Bus students is from June 1st to June 30th, 2020 to pre-register for the 2020-2021 school year. New students can register from July 1st to Aug 15th, 2020 for the 2020-2021 school year.

School	Walking School Bus Schedule
Georges Vanier CES	View route and stops
St. Rita CES	View route and stops

Before registering for the WSB, please review the following documents:

Please contact OSTA at wsb@ottawaschoolbus.ca if you require a paper copy of the form.

Completing the application online does not guarantee a space for your child. Space is limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis. When the first 10 spaces on your route have been filled, a waiting list will be created. Please notify OSTA by email at wsb@ottawaschoolbus.ca in order to withdraw your child from the HWSB list.

Wanted: Volunteer Hybrid WSB Leaders

Are you walking your child to school every day? Are you retired and looking for an opportunity to get some exercise and help the students get to school safely?

OSTA and the Ottawa Safety Council are looking for community volunteers to walk children to school. Flexible schedules and training is provided at no cost to you!

WSB Poster

Click to view poster

School Active Transportation Charter

Click on School Active Transportation Charter to enlarge

SAT Charter Ceremony 3 Students Jamie McWilliam (left) and Sasha Rogers share stories about why they like to walk to school during the signing ceremony for Ottawa’s active school travel charter.
SAT Charter Ceremony 2
From left to right: Julian Hanlon, OCSB Director of Education; Mark Mullan, OCSB Chairperson; Vicky Kyriaco, OSTA General Manager; Jennifer McKenzie, OCDSB Chairperson; Walter Piovesan, OCDSB Associate Director of Education; Michael Carson, OCDSB Chief Financial Officer.

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Did you Know?

Did you know that walking to school improves students’ health and ability to learn?

Studies show that children need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day in order to maintain a healthy weight and to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Schools have also reported that students who exercise in the morning before class tend to improve their grades and be more alert and ready to learn throughout the day. Students who have participated in Green Community Canada-area schools say they enjoy connecting with their friends and parents in the morning and generally feel better all around and are more aware of their communities.