Page 53 - MMP-N-NJ CCN 21st Century School Nurse Leadership Book

Steps to Gaining Buy-in and Leading Change and Transformation (Kotter, 2007).
See Making Change Happen (p.11):

1. Establish sense of urgency.

• Motivating statement (often communicated to key school administrative
decision maker(s)):

Dear Mr./Ms. Administrator:

Preventable accidents and injuries have occurred and will continue unless
we [school community] put into action a plan to prevent further accidents
and potential deaths. Our district is at risk for liability and potential lawsuits.
I know you value, as do I, the safety of all students and staff. I am proposing
that we investigate a federally funded program that can help us with this issue
- Safe Routes to School. It is a win-win for the school and our surrounding
community (Chriqui et al., 2012; DiMaggio, Frangos, & Li, 2016). This program
will help us look at underlying issues, such as sidewalks and traffic patterns and
facilitate implementing changes that will enhance safety. In the bigger picture,
the research supports improved student classroom behaviors and learning
outcomes, related to exercise. Even better – this program engages multiple
partners in our community from the police, the mayor’s office, parent groups,
and local businesses (Ragland, Pande, Bigham, & Cooper, 2014; Rodriguez &
Vogt, 2009). I would like to co-lead this initiative with our local county Safe
Routes to School coordinator. I already had an initial conversation with the
county Safe Routes to School coordinator and they are ready to begin. Let’s
start today.”

• Examine the literature and community assessment: In addition, the following areas
related to this incident are:

School Community Health Problem/Needs Assessment:
• No bus transportation leads to increased traffic, congestion, and safety concerns
around the school at arrival and dismissal times.
• 67% of students have BMIs greater than 95th percentile.
• No crossing guards at major intersections.
• No sidewalks on most streets in school walking distance area leads to parent
concerns about walking or riding bicycles to school.
• Neighborhood safety concerns for elementary-aged students walking to school
without adult supervision.
• Physical education classes cut back from 3 days/week to 2 days/week.
• Idling traffic from cars increases environmental health air quality concerns.
• No bicycle rack to lock/safeguard bicycles.
• School policy states no bicycles allowed/riding to school.

• Identify potential solution based upon scan of literature and relevant sources
of information.

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