Briscoe-can do bus

The “Briscoe-CAN DO Bus” began in 2009 at Briscoe Elementary school in the Magnolia Park community in response to the community’s request for access to safe opportunities for physical activity due to the extensive amount of stray dogs, poor lighting, and infrastructural barriers.  CAN DO worked in partnership with the Houston Independent School District (HISD), who considered the request and adjusted its budget to provide a bus twice a week to transport students from Briscoe Elementary to Mason Park after school.  This transportation would enable students to engage in physical activity and access other after school resources at one of the City of Houston’s Park and Recreation facilities.  Since the program began in 2009, HISD has increased the transportation to three days each week and student attendance continues to grow.   CAN DO has also been able to demonstrate improvements in the weight status of participants and academic performance and added a “walking school bus” component in the Spring of 2015 on two days each week to increase student access to the City’s recreation facility to five days a week and build the community’s existing demand for environmental changes that facilitate the utilization of safe spaces for physical activity. Partnership with Briscoe Elementary School and the City of Houston Parks & Recreation Department has been invaluable!  Over 50 students currently participate and preparation has begun for school-wide implementation. *Ongoing implementation: Magnolia Park (Briscoe Elementary School and Mason Park).