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EGUSD in the Spotlight
EGUSD Walks to School
This year’s annual International Walk to School Day marked a special moment in the evolution of the celebration at EGUSD schools. It was the first year that all EGUSD elementary schools participated in the annual event in some way.
Many EGUSD elementary schools marked the actual day on October 8, 2008, with walking, physical fitness and safety activities. Other schools are celebrating throughout the week or month.
Photo: Board Member Priscilla Cox with Foulks Ranch Elementary School students for Walk to School Day.
Foulks Ranch Elementary School was the first school in the district to participate in Walk to School Day in 2002. Each year the Foulks Ranch Walk to School Day program has grown. This year, the Foulks Ranch celebration included participation from Laguna Creek High School students, the Tonantzin Mariachi Band, the Harriet Eddy Middle School Jazz Band, the Laguna Creek Drum Line, a visit from Board Member Priscilla Cox and 11 walking school buses. In addition, numerous parent volunteers and local businesses supported the event with healthy treats, goody bags, and raffle prizes.
“Walk to School Day at Foulks Ranch Elementary is an amazing example of community pride and camaraderie,” said Foulks Ranch Vice Principal Jenifer Avey. “It is a day that allows the entire community to celebrate living in a neighborhood that provides safe routes for students to access their daily activities of school, sports, and play. The participation from local businesses and parents is the heart of the success experienced each year at Foulks Ranch.”
Photo: Helen Carr Castello Elementary School students walking school bus accompanied by the Jamba Juice banana mascot.
Helen Carr Castello received a special visit from Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, chief deputy director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and EGUSD Superintendent Steven M. Ladd, Ed.D., Board Member Priscilla Cox and Franklin High School students. Castello’s event highlighted the 350 pedometers the school recently received from the CDPH for students in grades 4, 5 and 6. Castello is one of three EGUSD schools and five EGUSD after school programs to receive the pedometers as part of a pilot project. At Castello the pedometer program began on September 29 and will run for eight weeks. Throughout the program, students – using their pedometer – can record their daily mileage on a log sheet and earn prizes based on their mileage totals.
Photo: Students from Helen Carr Castello Elementary perform a walk to school chant.
The visit included walking school buses and a special assembly during which Dr. Sorensen talked to students about the importance of physical exercise. At the end of the assembly, 11 Castello students performed a special “Walk to School Day” chant.
Photo: Superintendent Steven Ladd thanks the Castello students for their performance.
“This was a wonderful event for our entire neighborhood, with over 500 students and their families walking to school,” said Helen Carr Castello Principal Ilesha Graham. “The support from the Franklin High School students really added to sense of ‘community’ that we are working to build within our region. Additionally, with the incorporation of the pedometer program this year, I think our students will really be able to see the value of walking as an easy and effective form of exercise.”
Charles Mack Elementary School combined Walk to School Day with a bicycle safety helmet campaign called, “Use Your Head, Wear a Helmet.” The school received 150 free helmets from Safe Kids, Inc. The helmets will be distributed to students throughout the month. In addition, students, staff and parents participated in walking school buses. As they walked they chanted, “Be cool, walk to school!” Charles Mack also had a special visit from Board Member Chet Madison, Sr. The primary and intermediary classes with the most walkers won a special physical activity program with Vice Principal Sonjhia Lowery. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a special “Live Like a Champion” circuit training.
Photo: Vice Principal Sonjhia Lowery, Board Member Chet Madison and Principal Roberta Collier celebrate Walk to School Day at Charles Mack Elementary School.
“We want our kids to know the importance of being healthy and safe,” said Vice Principal Sonjhia Lowery. “This walk to school day was a great way to build on the district’s wellness policy. At the same time we are educating our students and community about the importance of helmet safety.”
Photo: Carroll Elementary School students enjoy a BMX presentation as part of “Walktober.”
At Carroll Elementary School students, parents and staff have turned Walk to School Day into a month-long celebration called “Walktober.” Thanks to the school’s Parent Teacher Association and community involvement, the school offered a variety of activities. During Walk to School week students were treated with a BMX bicycle assembly on Monday called “Perfection on Wheels.” The program highlighted the importance of bicycle safety. On Tuesday, CSD firefighters visited intermediate classrooms about the importance of wearing a helmet. On Wednesday, students were treated to a special tricycle race between Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis and Principal Paul Hauder. A safety inspection and helmet giveaway will be featured Friday. For every Wednesday in October the school will offer incentives for classes with the most walkers.
“We appreciate the hard work of parent Kristie Rivera,” said Carroll Principal Paul Hauder. “Her diligence in securing grant funding, in organizing special events and assemblies and her vision for our year-long walk to school program, ‘The Comet Cruisers,’ help make walking safely to school a visible and important statement for our students and families. We are excited about the ongoing success of this program!”
In support of the EGUSD Wellness Policy, schools from across the district received a special boost from CLIF Bar. The company donated ZBars to all participating school sites. CLIF Kid ZBars are made with wholesome organic ingredients. Each bar is low-fat, made with whole oats and contains 12 essential vitamins and minerals.
Spotlight Archives
2008
October 2, 2008 - EGUSD’s Science Initiative
September 19, 2008 - Stephanie Lopez-Cox returns to Elk Grove a “Golden Girl”
September 10, 2008 - Valley High School Students Get a Start on College
August 25, 2008 - Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School and Cosumnes Oaks High School Open
August 14, 2008 - Incoming 7th graders take a “Jump Start” into their school year
August 4, 2008 - EGUSD’s Math Initiative
July 14, 2008 - Parents and students grow and learn together at Partners Preschool
June 16, 2008 - EGUSD Goes Gold – Celebrating 50 Years of Educational Excellence
June 6, 2008 - Kaiser Permanente Rewards EGUSD Elementary students with perfect attendance with the gift of a two-wheel ride
May 30, 2008 - Sheldon High School Student Matthew King wins Elk Grove Auto Mall 2007/2008 Graduating Seniors Attendance Drive
May 20, 2008 - Harriet Eddy Middle School student wins pair of round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines
May 21, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified and the Elk Grove Education Association Celebrate the Day of the Teacher
May 6, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified School District’s 2008 Employees of the Year
April 28, 2008 - Sacramento County Educators Host Budget Forum at State Capital
April 16, 2008 - EGUSD Launches New Attendance Campaign Videos
April 4, 2008 - Winners selected for 3rd Annual Superintendent’s Art Contest
March 26, 2008 - Megaconference Jr. 2008 - Arthur C. Butler Students Take Their Voices to the World
March 17, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Joins Call to Fix Governor’s Proposed Budget
March 4, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Hosts Sacramento County Superintendents’ Press Conference on State Budget Cuts
Feb. 19, 2008 - 4th Annual High School Conference helps train the leaders of the future
Jan. 16, 2008 - Laguna Creek High School hosts ConnectEd Policy Site Visit
Jan. 02, 2008 - Senior Attendance Drive returns for second year
2007
Dec. 12, 2007 - John Ehrhardt Elementary students combine academics and community service
Dec. 03, 2007 - EGUSD’s Commitment to Service Learning Honored
Nov. 15, 2007 - Winners announced for No Excuses – Go to School Rhyme & Poster Contests
Nov. 13, 2007 - Veterans Day celebrated at Elk Grove Unified
Oct. 23, 2007 - Time of Remembrance Project and Website
Oct. 15, 2007 - Markofer Elementary offers “Donuts for Dads/Muffins for Moms"
Oct. 3, 2007 - EGUSD elementary schools participate in Walk to School Day
Sept. 18, 2007 - Options abound on new College and Career website
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