Encouragement
Pierre, South Dakota: Walk to School Day Event
Introduction
Pierre, S.D., is a rural town with approximately 13,000 residents. One of its local elementary schools, Jefferson Elementary School, has more than 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. In 2003, the Jefferson Elementary Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) wanted to implement a program designed to encourage healthy behavior in the students. The PTA decided that yearly Walk to School Day events would be the best encouragement program for the students.
Safe Routes to School in the News:
11 steps: SHIP, Safe Routes programs needed
sctimes.com, MN — 02/06/2011
Community alliance takes aim at childhood obesity
WiltonBulletin.com, CT — 02/05/2011
Let's Move!: First Lady Column on Physical Activity
I remember when I was a kid, all my friends and I wanted to do after school was run around outside until dinner. And even then, we didn't really want to come inside. But now, with video games, the internet, and entire TV networks geared toward kids, there's a lot more competition for our children's free time. And as we've seen more and more, when kids aren't moving, when they're not active, they're less likely to grow up healthy — and it's a significant factor in our country's building epidemic of childhood obesity.
Safe Routes to School in the News
LaHood, State DOTs Participate in International Walk to School Day
AASHTO Journal — 10/08/2010
Walking the Walk
Columbus Dispatch, OH — 10/7/2010
Walking to School Promotes Awareness
Charlotte Observer, NC — 10/7/2010
Green Works Walk to School Challenge Reaches the Finish Line
Congratulations to all 1,926 families who participated in the Green Works Walk to School Challenge!
The following five schools earned the most Green Footprints, based on overall program participation, and each won a $5,000 Green Grant from Green Works for their school: