|
EGUSD elementary schools to participate in Walk to School Day September 29, 2009 On Wednesday, October 7, sidewalks throughout the Elk Grove Unified School District will be filled with walkers, bikers and skateboarders as students at all EGUSD elementary schools participate in International Walk to School Day. “Our principals and their staff members have taken Walk to School Day to new heights with their innovative ideas,” said Bob Roe, director of elementary education for the district. “Walk to School Day presents an excellent opportunity to not only highlight the importance of fitness, but to reinforce safety rules for walking to school as well. It is wonderful that we have 100 percent participation among our elementary schools for Walk to School Day this year.” Schools are participating in Walk to School Day with an array of activities. “Walking school buses” are a popular activity. Walking school buses are groups of children accompanied by adults that walk to school together. These groups may meet at one designated location or may “pick-up” students along the way. Other schools are holding health fairs, having class participation competitions and raffles for prizes, offering healthy snacks and stickers to students who walk or ride bikes or skateboards to school and partnering with high schools to assist in Walk to School Day activities. Schools in rural areas will also participate in Walk to School Day festivities by walking their tracks or blacktop areas during recess and participating in class discussions about making safe and healthy choices when walking or riding their bikes. The first National Walk Our Children to School Day was started in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America. By 2002, International Walk to School Day had nearly 3 million participants in all 50 states. Elk Grove Unified’s first school to participate in Walk to School Day was Foulks Ranch Elementary School in 2002. Elk Grove Unified has become a leader in the region with Walk to School Day. The popularity of the event has grown over the years and all 39 elementary schools will participate in the event on Wednesday. For more information about International Walk to School Day, please visit http://www.iwalktoschool.org/.
|