Walking Bus News September 2007

Dear Parent and Carers,

Welcome to everyone and hopefully you all had a good holiday.

Some of you may have seen our school’s walking buses back in full operation. For any parents and carers that are new to the school, the walking bus concept is a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly approach to alleviating the undesirable effects of school run traffic congestion. The scheme is parent led with the support of the Head Teacher, staff at Unsworth Primary School and Bury MBC.

Any incentives, competitions or sponsorship for the walking bus are organised by Marianne Thurm.

Progress update

The scheme has been provided with high visibility sashes which will hopefully alleviate the problem of some children not wanting to wear their high-vis gear. As the minimum age required to wear the sashes is 8 years, we will only issue the sashes to the Juniors on the walking bus. The additional sashes mean that the children can keep their infant waistcoat or junior sash. All walking bus children must remember to wear their waistcoat or sash when they meet the bus. Children who forget to bring their waistcoat or sash will not be permitted to walk with the bus. The waistcoat or sash must be returned to the school if your child stops using the walking bus.

Park & Stride from Unsworth Pole

Unfortunately, this route can not operate until we have found volunteers to help with this route.

Park & Stride & Rhodes Drive

We are looking for 1 more volunteer to help us with this route which will operate every Thursday (term time).

If you would like to consider becoming a walking bus volunteer, then please complete and return the slip below. Thank you.

Current Vacancies

We have either two junior places or one infant place available on the Wednesday bus from Swinton Crescent. Please return the slip below if you would like to register your child.

Important Timetable Change

The joining times from Swinton Crescent will operate as follows: Swinton Crescent @ 08:35; Wavell Drive @ 08:42 and 347 Parr Lane @ 08:45.

July Volunteers Raffle

Congratulations to Susan Roberts for winning first prize in our July Raffle. Second prize was won by Mandy Naughton. Deborah Jones and Jennifer Spencer each received a bowling voucher. The next volunteers raffle will take place on 19th October. The prizes are a 45 minute guided Lowry tour for two, £5 Pizza Hut voucher and a bowling voucher. We thank our scheme supporters The Lowry, Pizza Hut (UK) Ltd and Strike Ten Bowl for donating these prizes to our scheme.

Get Well Soon

We wish Mrs Spencer a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back with us soon!

Exelite

We are delighted to inform you that our new scheme sponsor Exelite, has provided the walking bus, with five of their LumiStrip Activ personal safety belts. The belts are worn across the chest and back and light up with a powerful cool blue light that can stay on constant or flash. These are powered by rechargeable batteries. The straps will be looked after by the walking bus driver and the children will be given the opportunity, each week, to take turns to wear the strip.