The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) held its annual Safe Routes to School (SRTS) awards ceremony, recognizing the contributions of partner schools, community champions, stakeholders, and crossing guards. The SRTS program, launched in 2005, is celebrating two decades of promoting safety for students who walk, bike, and roll to school.
Waltham Public Schools received recognition as the first community in Massachusetts to officially partner with the program. Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt expressed gratitude towards the school communities involved: “As we celebrate 20 years of Safe Routes to School, we extend our deepest thanks to the school communities that have partnered with us to create safer, healthier ways for students to walk, bike, and roll to school.”
Over its 20-year history, the program has collaborated with over 1,200 partner schools and expanded eligibility to include high schools due to new federal funding opportunities. It has also funded more than 100 infrastructure projects and provided professional development training sessions approved by DESE for teachers and staff.
This year’s awards ceremony honored 218 schools across Massachusetts that completed SRTS activities qualifying them for Basic, Bronze, Silver, or Gold partner level awards. Exemplary Program awards were given to four schools with three honorable mentions. Additional recognitions included Community Collaboration and Nikki Tishler Memorial awards.
Crossing guards were acknowledged for their role in ensuring safety around schools. Over 450 nominations were submitted from 43 communities statewide. Winners included Gina Hayes from Malden as Crossing Guard of the Year.
The Massachusetts SRTS Program is sponsored by MassDOT with funding from the Federal Highway Administration. It promotes safe routes through partnerships with local organizations and offers various training activities. The program serves over 1,200 schools in more than 280 communities across Massachusetts.
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