Norte In School

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Kids learning to move and be physically active as part of ordinary life – like going to school! Active kids inspire parents, teachers, principals, neighbors, and the entire community.

Independent, happy, confident, ready to learn youth are empowered to be guardians of their health. They will develop lifelong habits to move more, sit less, and lead with enthusiasm.

Norte administers school-based, walk and bike-focused initiatives across the Grand Traverse region. Our programs, projects, and events empower students of all ages, and their adults, to be active for life.

Norte’s school-based education programs:

Adventure Bike Club: An adventure-based after-school empowerment program for upper elementary and middle school students. (4-week program in both spring and fall)
Balance Bikes: A learn-to-ride program for preschoolers using balance bikes. (4-week indoor in the gym during the winter)
Solution: A learn-to-wrench program for upper elementary and middle school students.

Norte’s school encouragement programs and events:

Safe Routes To School Champions: Empowering moms/dads to help make their school better connected and more walk/bike-friendly.
Fantastic Fridays: A weekly celebration of students walking, biking, and rolling to school.
The Great Northern Michigan Bike Train Experiment: A community-wide network of adult-led bike trains connecting schools in northern Michigan.
Winter Walk Wednesdays: A #StepItUp inspired celebration of people – big or small – walking to work, school or just for FUN! in Traverse City.
Park & Stroll: For those students who attend a school of choice or live too far away from their home school. Drive. Park. Walk 5 minutes to school. Easy.
Bike2Bus: Portable bike racks at neighborhood bus stops and mapping of safe routes to these racks to encourage “biking to bus”.
Grand Traverse Regional Kids’ Bike Library: Ensuring that awesome kids have awesome bikes to pedal to school no matter their family’s resources.
Northern Michigan Bikes to School Day: 2nd Wednesday in May for National Bike to School Day.
Northern Michigan Walks to School Day: 1st Wednesday in October for National Walk to School Day.
Winter Bike To Work and School Day: 2nd Friday in February for International Winter Bike To Work and School Day
Walk/Bike To School Hero Awards: Last week of school to celebrate walk/bike to school rockstars

The benefits of walking and biking to school are many, of course:

Improved concentration in class
Reduced traffic congestion
Improved Cognitive Functioning
Release of the brain protein…BDNF
Stronger sense of community
Safer streets: Communities the walk and bike see lower crash rates across the board.
Distraction-free quality time with families and classmates
Reduced air pollution near schools
More exercise without a gym!

Safe Routes To School infrastructure projects in progress:

Traverse City
East Bay

Passionate about kids getting themselves to YOUR school? Get involved!

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Ideas on what should be done to make your school more walkable/bikeable? Spots for Park & Stroll locations? Routes for bike trains or walking buses? What safety concerns do you see around your school? How can we better encourage and empower more kids to actively get themselves to your school?
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