Welcome!

We're glad that you're helping children walk to school safely, healthily, and happily. As a walking buddy, you play an important role. You're a familiar face along the route, and you help make sure that children arrive at school safely and on time. You also play a part in reducing traffic congestion around schools, making it safer for everyone.

There is always a (voluntary) coordinator who has access to the administrator portal. This person is  your point of contact if you need any routing changes, if something unexpected happens, or if an issue in the walking group needs to be reported or documented

During the walks, you don’t need to act as a traffic controller or teacher. Instead, you guide the group, make children aware of their surroundings, and manage the walk in the app. After the first time, you’ll find that everything comes naturally. The details of your role and its responsibilities are explained below.

1. The Role of the Walking Buddy

1.1 Guidance
As a walking buddy, you guide a group of children along a set walking route to school. You:

• Arrive on time and always start at the first meeting point.
• Pass each meeting point and welcome the children waiting there.
• Check children off in the app as they join the group.
• Pay attention to safety and traffic behavior along the way.
• Keep in touch via the group chat (for example, for cancellations or delays).
• Report special circumstances if needed (e.g., a dangerous situation along the route).
• Make children aware of their surroundings. Examples:
  • “We’re stopping here because…”
  • “We’re walking here and not there because…”
  • “We’re about to cross, so first we…”
  • “This sign means that we…”

1.2 Responsibilities and Boundaries
As a walking buddy, you guide the group, but parents/guardians always remain ultimately responsible, not the walking buddies or the school.

It’s important not to take unnecessary risks or try to solve situations alone. If in doubt, contact the parent, or post in the group chat if it’s not urgent.

Important:

• When you sign up as a walking buddy, we count on your presence for the entire route.
• You depart from the first meeting point and continue to the school.
• If a child is not at the stop: first try contacting the parent by clicking on the icon of the child who should be there.
• If there is an extra child at the stop who is not registered, first check with one of the parents whether the child is meant to join. If confirmed, update the group chat so everyone is informed. If the group is already at maximum capacity, the child cannot join without a parent stepping in to help or resolve the situation.
• Never leave children behind alone or allow them to walk independently unless this has been agreed upon in advance.

2. Guiding the Walk

2.1 Before Departure:

• Open the app in good time to see which children are registered.
• Be at the first meeting point at the agreed time.
• Keep an eye on the app and group chat for any changes or cancellations.
• As children arrive at the stop, check them off in the app.
• If a child doesn’t show up, contact the parent or guardian (phone number is in the app).

Parents must be reachable during the walk in case contact is needed. If children are late, coordinate quickly so the group is not delayed. A few minutes is fine, but longer delays mean other children at the next stop will be waiting too long.

2.2 During the Walk:

During the walk, you guide the group in a calm and clear manner. Children learn along the way by doing, and you help with this by pointing out and explaining situations.

• Draw attention to traffic signs, crossings, and safe behavior. Make learning fun! For example:
  • Sing “left-right-left” before crossing.
  • Step only on the white stripes of the zebra crossing.
  • Stop and discuss a traffic sign.
• Encourage children to think for themselves: “Why are we stopping here?” “What do you do differently here than when you’re cycling?”
• Make sure everyone stays on the sidewalk and together as a group.
• Keep the group together, don’t walk too fast.
• Pay attention at busy spots and take the time to cross safely.

2.3 Upon Arrival at School:

• Bring the group to the designated spot on or near the school playground.
• Check once more that the group is complete.
• Check off the final (school) stop in the app, this sends parents a summary of the walk and a confirmation that their children have arrived at school.
• If anything noteworthy happened along the way, let us or the parents know.

Your role ends at the school. You don’t need to accompany the children inside unless otherwise agreed.

2.4 Tips and Questions:

• Keep things simple and relaxed.
• Unsure about something? Send a message in the app group or contact the coordinator.
• Concerned about a child’s safety or behavior? Discuss it with the coordinator and, if agreed, later with the parent/guardian.
• Have suggestions or ideas? Let us know! We’re always looking to improve the program together with you.

3. Agreement with the Role and Guidelines

By using the sCOOL2walk app and signing up as a walking buddy, you confirm, as part of the general terms and conditions, that you have read, understood, and agree to your role and responsibilities as described above.