Residents in Aotearoa: Walking School Busses

Saturday, 21 January 2017

Walking School Busses

Not long after we moved to Harvest Drive, we got a flyer in our mailbox that announced that a local group of parents was considering starting a 'walking schoolbus' and asked us to call or email if we were interested in being part of the planning group. We weren't. But it's a fine idea. Walking schoolbusses follow a set route and pass by each location at a given time. They're manned by parents or caregivers of any sort and provide a safe way for little ones to get to and from school.

Since that time, we have seen some of these walking schoolbuses in operation. Today's short post shows an example.

They can stretch out to be quite a long bus...

Cute, huh? Many times, the kids are not on their way to school, they may be on their way to a special event taking place during school hours. Teachers only may be leading them, but parents or other volunteers may also help out.

This one is happening in downtown Auckland. Note the tags on each kid. Lots of volunteers visible for this outing.

Now, this group you see approaching is of another sort. They're adults. We've noticed that there are many walking groups in the area, and of course they show a resemblence to the walking schoolbuses, except for the difference in ages. These are mostly retired folks. Well, there's safety in numbers for them too. -djf

6 comments:

Dianne22 January 2017 at 10:35
What a great concept! Are there any in your neighborhood yet or are all of these pictures - save for the adult bus - in Auckland? Around here you often see adult crossing guards but I've never seen or heard of something similar to a walking school bus where the kids are escorted all the way to their destination, pick up and drop off kids on the way, and maybe even sing some school bus songs along the way!

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Dianne22 January 2017 at 10:37
O, I also wanted to comment on your great cover photo of the red carpet of Pohutukawa blossoms on Sturgis Road! Very nice!
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Doug Foster22 January 2017 at 10:54
The first three pictures are in downtown Henderson. The last picture of the kids is in Auckland. We don't see the 'schoolbuses' taking kids to school around us, although it is common for teachers to walk the kids several blocks to the park for sports activities, and that is done in very long 'schoolbuses' during school hours. While the kids generally look very happy to be on an outing, I've never heard them sing.
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Kathie Luther23 January 2017 at 08:57
What a great idea! And pix too! Very good! Thanks, like the cover pic too!
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Anonymous23 January 2017 at 15:13
It is definitely a good idea. I am glad that people will step up and volunteer to help for a good cause--the safety of children. McKenzie
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My deer blind, a place outside of time and space.

This is a picture of my deer hunting blind. I built in in 1975 and used it until about 2010. I'm publishing this picture and text on November 15 of 2022, the opening day of Michigan's rifle deer hunting season, to remember all the years I spent sitting there and occasionally harvesting a deer. I think that the meat I provided for my family was only a small portion of the benefit I received from hunting in this manner. Of greater value to me was the time I spent alone, watching the forest and its many components interact. I had time to unwind from the stresses of my work, to appreciate our world, and even sometimes to pray. That blind was a refuge to me. It was cozy, and comfortable and I spent much more time filming the activities of not only deer, but bears, racoons, turkeys, squirrels, hawks, and once, even a snowy owl, than I did harvesting deer. May I suggest to all of you that you try to find some time and a place, where you can be alone, and where you can ponder and appreciate your life and your place in the world. It does a body good. -djf