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Garrettford’s walking school bus boosts attendance and cuts lateness, principal says
Summary
Garrettford Elementary principal Allen Bridal told the board the school's walking school bus, funded by a local grant, raised average daily attendance from about 95% to roughly 96'98% on program days and cut lateness from about 5.7% to about 2.8%. Staff described volunteer logistics and student incentives.
Garrettford Elementary School principal Allen Bridal told the Upper Darby School District board that a grant-funded walking school bus has measurably improved attendance and punctuality.
Bridal said the school's average daily attendance is 95%, but on walking school bus days attendance rises to between 96% and 98%. He said lateness has dropped from an average of about 5.7% districtwide at the school to roughly 2.8% during months when the program runs regularly.
The program, Bridal said, was launched after a family and student survey showed safety concerns about crossing Marshall Road and general anxiety about unaccompanied walking. Staff volunteers meet in the building lobby, don high-visibility vests and stop signs, and escort small single-file groups of children from designated neighborhood corners to school. Volunteers staff the front and back of the line and teachers remind children of crossing safety and walking etiquette.
Bridal credited a grant from a local arts and education fund for covering costs such as stop signs and high-visibility vests. He said families and students are offered small incentives—a "bucket buck" token or other prizes—for participating, which school staff said helps sustain participation.
Students who spoke during the presentation described feeling safer and more socially connected when walking with teachers and peers. School staff said volunteer participation grows over time and the program fosters community ties between neighbors and teachers.
The principal asked the board to view a short video demonstrating the walking school bus in action and thanked staff and volunteers—singling out the school social worker who wrote the grant and a parent who helped produce the video. The board did not take formal action on the program during the work session.
