SmartTrips to Kindergarten

Information
Children with umbrellas being lead through a crosswalk by an adult near a school.
Kindergarten is a big life step for your child and getting to school is an important part of this journey. We recommend thinking about your trip to school now!
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Welcome to SmartTrips to Kindergarten

SmartTrips to Kindergarten is a program that helps parents and care takers get and stay prepared for their child's first educational experience. The first step of going to Kindergarten, is getting to school. Let the PBOT Safe Routes to School team share tips, tricks, and prizes with you and your family through our kinder activities this first school year!

Fall Text and Win Campaign

This campaign will help you by sharing tips, tricks, and raffling prizes to get your family ready for this fall.   

To join, text KINDER to 888-520-0526. If you're unable to text, email SafeRoutes@PortlandOregon.gov with the subject line KINDER.  

This Fall we will have two drawings for a chance to win a scooter for your student or one of four $20 Fred Meyer Gift Certificates! 

Childrens scooter in its original packaging. The logo says Globber and the scooter is bright pink with wheels that light up multiple colors when ridden.
four Fred Meyer gift cards. The cards say Fred Meyer surrounded by multiple cooking ingredients like salt, onions, olive oil, pepper, and others.

Contest Terms 

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. 

Contest Period 


The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Text & Win Program will run through fall of 2023. By texting “KINDER” to 888-520-0526 and submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to these rules. The odds of winning this contest are determined by the number of total contestants and entries. 

Who May Enter 


This contest is open to parents or caretakers of kinder students (1 adult per student).
 
Eligible school districts include: David Douglas School District, Parkrose School District, and Portland Public Schools District. 

How to Enter

 
For families with a child entering Kindergarten, Text the word “KINDER” to 888-520-0526  

Participants are automatically entered into the prize drawing. 

Text Messages 

By texting the keyword to 888-520-0526, the contestant opts into receiving text messages from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). Message and data rates may apply. Contestant can always text STOP to 888-520-0526 to cancel or opt out.  

Winner Selection and Notification 

Weekly drawings for names of winners will be conducted. PBOT reserves the right to choose which prizes are drawn in which week. Winners will be notified of their name being drawn. Winners will be notified via mail, e-mail, or text depending on information provided by contestant. If the winner does not respond within one week of receiving notification, contest organizers will select a new winner at random. 

Transportation Checklist

Preparation is key!

  1. Visualize your ideal morning.
  2. Practice new habits. Some mornings may be more difficult than others. Practice helps everyone learn the new routine.
  3. Decide how you’ll get to school. Driving may not always be the easiest. Parking and traffic can add a lot of time. Not sure if your child will enjoy walking or rolling to school? Try it out over the summer. It takes the average child about 20 min to walk a mile.
  4. Connect with neighbors. Find a walking or biking group or carpool over the summer. Or make your own! Sharing responsibility often lessens the stress of commuting.  
  5. Teach your child simple traffic rules. Now is a great time. Start with our favorites: look left-right-left, wait for vehicles to stop, make eye contact and wave, and never linger in the street. 

Why walk and roll to school?

  • Physical exercise
  • Support learning
  • Reduce traffic
  • Reduce air pollution
  • Explore your neighborhood
  • Spend quality time together
  • Make memories
  • Help create more livable neighborhoods

Multilingual resources

Pedestrian safety tips

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Bike and walk maps of Portland

Bilingual in English and Spanish

North map

Southeast map

Northwest/downtown map

Northeast map

Southwest/south map

Scavenger hunt

Bilingual in English and Spanish; Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic

Bingo card

English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic


For more tips and resources, follow Safe Routes to School on social media! 

Facebook: @PBOTSafeRoutes
Instagram: @saferoutespdx