No extra skipping college: How ‘strolling college bus’ reduces power absenteeism on this US state

Power absenteeism is a problem for faculties throughout the nation, however Hawaii is stepping up with an modern resolution. The state’s college districts have discovered a method to deal with this concern head-on, with the assistance of volunteers, a little bit creativity, and, imagine it or not, a strolling college bus. It is not simply any stroll to highschool—this program is decreasing absenteeism whereas guaranteeing youngsters get to highschool safely.
The thought behind the strolling college bus program is straightforward however efficient. Volunteers lead teams of scholars alongside designated, protected routes to highschool, with the additional benefit of creating scheduled “stops” to select up different college students alongside the way in which. This initiative, launched on December sixteenth, 2024, was dropped at life by the Companions in Improvement Basis‘s Piha Me Ka Pono program, in collaboration with Kealakehe Elementary and Kealakehe Intermediate faculties. The objective is to each enhance attendance charges and make sure the security of the scholars strolling to highschool.
A safer route to highschool
With no public or college transportation choices out there within the space and issues about site visitors, the strolling college bus gives a much-needed resolution. As quoted by the Companions in Improvement Basis, Shonna Ontiveros, the Lead Neighborhood College Coordinator at Kealakehe Intermediate, “Children typically stroll to highschool from their houses, however 8 out of 10 instances, they do not make it as a result of they cease at a pal’s home, and their mother and father aren’t conscious.” This created an enormous hole in attendance, main Ontiveros to suggest the strolling college bus program after seeing its success in a New Mexico group college.
The strolling college bus is greater than only a enjoyable method to get to highschool. It is about making a structured, protected route with marked crosswalks and grownup supervision. Volunteers, who dedicate their mornings to serving to, be sure that youngsters comply with a predetermined path with good visibility, serving to to keep away from site visitors accidents. This system began sturdy, with about 50 college students from Kealakehe Elementary participating, as reported by the Companions in Improvement Basis.

Neighborhood involvement and success
This system’s launch was an enormous success, with 14 volunteers exhibiting as much as assistance on the primary day. Shonnalee Ontiveros, quoted by the Companions in Improvement Basis, “The response was unimaginable. We had 14 volunteers present as much as assist with the primary stroll. The vitality was contagious, and it was clear we have been off to an excellent begin!”
The strolling college bus is at the moment working on Monday mornings, one of many days with the very best absentee charges. This system has proven promising outcomes, and organizers hope to develop it this spring with extra volunteers. It is clear that strolling to highschool will be greater than only a method to get from dwelling to class—it may be a game-changer for college attendance, security, and group involvement.