School Services

Less Gas, More Candy: Sustainable Trick or Treat Tips in the District

Halloween in the District is a time for costumes, candy, and creativity, but it doesn’t have to mean more cars on the road. Whether you’re walking through neighborhood streets for trick or treating or attending special events across the city, there are plenty of ways to commute smarter, not harder. By choosing walking, biking, scooting,... View Article

Trip Planning Tools and Apps for Sustainable Transportation in DC

Navigating public transportation in DC, especially with ongoing changes from the Better Bus Network, can be overwhelming for both commuters and visitors. Frequent route updates, new signage, and shifting schedules often leave people confused and frustrated, pushing many to drive instead of using more sustainable options. Trip planning tools and apps take the guesswork out... View Article

Student Transportation All-Stars: Creating the Next Generation of Leaders

  In January 2025, goDCgo launched the inaugural cohort of its Student Transportation All-Star (STAS) program. This initiative is designed to empower high school students to become sustainable transportation champions through leadership, education, and action. Read on to learn more about the program’s success and goDCgo’s plans for future cohorts! Program Overview  The STAS Program... View Article

Save Time and Money: Carpool to School

Do you drive your child to and from school every day? Are you tired of waiting in long lines for pickup/dropoff? Now that students have settled into the hustle and bustle of the new school year, it’s the perfect time to explore a new way to get your kids to school: Carpooling.

goDCgo Impact: Contributing to a Greener City

As an initiative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), goDCgo's top priority is to encourage the use of sustainable transportation among DC commuters, residents, and visitors by providing complimentary resources and consulting services that help raise awareness and educate the public about the many ways to get around the city besides driving alone. Our goal serves to decrease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create a better quality of life for everyone in the DC area.

5 Reasons Why Students Should Walk to School

When students walk to school, they're setting good habits and a positive tone for the day. Although distance, weather, and infrastructure can make walking challenging for some, those that do live within walking distance (typically 1 mile or less) can reap some amazing benefits from getting their stride on each day. Here are five ways walking to school can benefit your children and family. 
 
1. Improve Test Scores 
Adding just 20 minutes of physical activity (approximately the time it takes to walk a mile) into a child's day can increase test scores. In a 2015 study, researchers found that after just 20 minutes of physical activity students tested better in reading, spelling, and math and were more likely to read above their grade level. By having your child walk to and from school you can help them perform better.  
 
2. Fewer Sick Days 
Walking just 30 minutes a day can boost your child's immune system and cut their risk of catching a cold in half. Walking to school could mean fewer sick days for your child and fewer missed work days for you.  
 
3. Improve Mental Health 
With mental health issues rising in children throughout the past decade, it's important to find small ways to combat these issues and improve mental health on a daily basis. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, children have been sheltered from their normal interactions with peers such as playing during recess and the overall social aspect of being in person. Walking can help to reduce the severity of mental health issues. Just an hour of physical activity a day can help reduce stress and reduce depression and anxiety.  
 
4. Improve Sleep 
Sleep is crucial for children and teens who are developing both mentally and physically, but unfortunately students, especially teenagers, can have issues with sleep and often don't get a good night's rest. Walking to school can help children and teens sleep more soundly and improve their sleep quality. Getting an adequate amount of sleep in turn can contribute to higher test scores, better moods and behavior, and improved mental and physical health.  
 
5. It's Good For You, Too! 
It's advised that children under ten are walked to school by a parent, trusted adult, or as a part of a walkpool (similar to carpools but walking instead of driving). By walking your child to school, you can reap the health benefits that walking brings as well. Walking just 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression, certain cancers, Alzheimer's and dementia, osteoporosis while improving fatigue, blood pressure, strength, and boosting endorphins and the immune system. Walking your child to school can make you healthier and happier!  
 
Worried About Safety?  
Safety can be a big concern for many parents when it comes to walking to school. Parents can ensure their child is safe by helping them understand and obey traffic signs and signals. Walking in groups and adopting a buddy system can also increase safety. Walkers should also avoid using electronics that could distract them during their route.  
 
In addition, the District's Safe Routes to Schools program works year-round to advance safe walking and biking to and from schools and address problem areas. DC's Safe Passage initiative has also identified safe spot locations that are local stores and businesses known to welcome students who encounter safety issues on their way to and from school. Find safe spot locations along your route to school.  

Commuting to School During Covid-19

Although teachers, staff, and students no longer will be returning to school this month, it's important for school administrators to plan and prepare for safe commuting when students do return. We've compiled a list of ways your school administration can prepare to support the commutes of your teachers, staff, and students.

Promote Commuting with Care
No matter what form of transportation your teachers, staff, or students use, encourage them to commute with care. That includes wearing a face covering/mask, using hand sanitizer, and staying 6 feet away from other passengers when possible.

goDCgo School Services is Here to Help!

goDCgo is here to help schools however we can! With face-covering/mask-wearing and social distancing protocols still in place, the options outlined below are great ways goDCgo can help you promote health, wellness, and safety in your school community.

Virtual Complimentary Consultations:
We’re still here to help you virtually! Meet with School Client Services Manager Barbara Moreno one-on-one via phone or video chat to discuss how goDCgo can help you support the health and wellness of your teachers and staff while preparing for reopening. Schedule your virtual consultation today!

Telework & Distance Learning Webinars:
Since many are spending so much time working and teaching from home, it's important that your teachers and staff’s workspaces are comfortable so they can feel their best and maintain productivity. The efficiency of one’s work environment, or ergonomics, plays a major role in how employees get work done. In other words, staff should fit their workspace to meet their needs. goDCgo can help teach your teachers and staff how to set up their workspace and stay healthy and happy while distance teaching. Reach out to goDCgo to schedule a webinar for your staff.

Capital Bikeshare Memberships:
Capital Bikeshare is a great benefit to offer that can be especially helpful to your teachers and staff as they commute and run errands while practicing safe social distancing. It's also a great way to stay healthy by adding exercise into your daily routine. 

Private/Charter Schools: goDCgo can help you decide if offering a Capital Bikeshare membership as a part of your commuter benefits program is right for your school's reopening plans, and help you sign up for the Capital Bikeshare’s Corporate program.

DCPS: DCPS employees automatically receive a discount on Capital Bikeshare memberships; it's $25 a year for an annual membership. goDCgo can explain how to sign up your staff and get the word out to your employees as you prepare for reopening.

Get a FREE Transit Screen Feed

Get a transit display at your school! Transit displays are a great way to show off all mobility options near your school, at a glance, and in real-time. These options include the bus, Capital Bikeshare, carshare, and the Metrorail. By providing a digital display with real-time transportation arrival data in lobbies, main offices, and teacher break rooms, your students and staff can plan their sustainable commutes back home more easily and efficiently.

Many schools are hesitant to use their limited budgets on transit display software, but thanks to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), schools can install a live transportation feed for at no cost to you! All you have to do is provide the television screen or monitor and use Ride DC's portal to set-up a live feed. School administrators will have the ability to create a custom dashboard specific to their school's location.

How Do Staff, Students, and Families Get to School?

In 2019, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) conducted a district-wide school transportation survey to evaluate the state of school commutes in Washington, DC. In the survey, they found that students and families are more likely to choose sustainable transportation options than teachers and staff. Results show that only 33% of elementary students are driven to school, while another 33% of parents walk their youngest child to school, and 59% of students have used Kids Ride Free cards. On the other hand, 78% of the District's school staff drive to work alone, while only 2.2% ride a bike to school. The survey also revealed that 43% of school staff commute from Maryland and Virginia.