Freiker @ Almond FAQ

 

 

  1. What is Freiker?  Why are we doing this?
  2. What is the Freikometer and how does it work?
  3. What forms of motivation encourage program participation?
  4. When does it start?
  5. How can I get my child registered/started?
  6. How can I maximize my child’s safety?
  7. What are the recommended safe riding routes to school?
  8. Who are the Almond parental volunteers for the Freiker program?

 

 

 

  1. What is Freiker?  Why are we doing this?

  

Freiker is an incentive and encouragement program for elementary aged school children designed to achieve the following goals:

1. Get kids fit! Fitness comes in all shapes and sizes and from many endeavors. The key is to get moving! We are encouraging that with our Freiker program.

2. Have fun! People power is a blast, and kids love being solar-powered machines. “Freiking” to school can carry-over to walking, biking and scooting to get around town on errands and visiting friends.

3. Be in-charge! “Hey, if I ride my bike I don’t need Mom or Dad to take me everywhere I want to go.”

Freiker (frequent biker, rhymes with biker) started in Colorado and has grown to a National Program sponsored by Trek Bikes, Bikes Belong, and Safe Routes to School. Thanks to a generous grant and sponsorship from The Bicycle Outfitter and Monta Vista Velo Cycling Club, Almond Elementary School is the first school in California to install a Freikometer (solar powered RFID reader)!! For more details see www.freiker.org.

This program is open to Almond students of all ages who want to bike, walk or scooter to school. Each child will be issued a Freiker RFID tag that can be attached to a helmet or backpack. Every time the child passes under the Freikometer, a bell will ring and that child will be given credit for riding, walking, or scootering to school that day. Total trips will be tracked on a secure website that can be monitored by the parents and school administrators. As the number of Freiker trips is tallied, the children earn rewards!! Almond’s Freiker program also includes:

1. A helmet inspection and fitting
2. A bicycle safety coarse
3. 2 mile bike challenge around Los Altos

Questions? Contact Jon.Simms@sbcglobal.net

 

 

  1. What is the Freikometer and how does it work?
  2. What forms of motivation encourage program participation?

 

Perhaps as often as every 2 months, awards will be given as student Freiker participants achieve milestones.  Students will also be able to login to Freiker.org and track their progress online relative to their fellow classmates.  The program is already wildly successful in a number of schools in Colorado in a climate less mild than we have.

 

 

     4.    When does it start?

 

The program will be announced at Monday morning assembly on 3/16.  The first day of riding will kickoff with a parade around Monday 3/23.

 

 

  1.  How can I get my child registered/started?

 

Parental Consent forms will be  placed in teachers cubbies to be sent home in the Thursday Folder.  Here is the FAA Parental Consent Form  and the FAA Registration Process

 

  1.  How can I maximize my child’s safety?

 

Safety training, helmet sizing and fitting, as well as a thorough bike check will re requisite steps in the registration process.  There are also suggested routes to school: Get to Almond Safely Map

 

  1. What are the recommended safe riding routes to school?

 

  1. Who are the Almond parental volunteers for the Freiker program?

 

Jon Simms is the Freiker program lead for Almond Jon.Simms@sbcglobal.net

John Parker – jlpp@comcast.net – is also assisting with the program.

Rob Specker – Robert.specker@datadomain.com – is also assisting with the program.

Suzanne Ambiel of Covington is our Safety Coordinator.