We had our first Walking (and Wheeling) Wednesday for the 2014-15 school year and it was a huge success. Students and their parents walked, biked, scootered, and skateboarded to Evergreen School on a beautiful fall morning. We counted 274 students who reported walking or wheeling to school.
Walking Wednesday began last year as a joint effort by Evergreen School and School Council to encourage students and their families to walk or wheel to school. Our goals were to decrease traffic around the school and to encourage physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. We also believe that Walking Wednesday supports our school's focus on Environmental Stewardship by helping to decrease emissions from cars.
Walking Wednesday began last year as a joint effort by Evergreen School and School Council to encourage students and their families to walk or wheel to school. Our goals were to decrease traffic around the school and to encourage physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. We also believe that Walking Wednesday supports our school's focus on Environmental Stewardship by helping to decrease emissions from cars.
How it works:
Students are encouraged to walk or wheel to school. If they do so, they get a "ticket" and are entered in a draw for a prize. We make announcements to remind them that Walking Wednesday is coming and to talk about the benefits of Walking and Wheeling to school. Everyone is able to participate: Families who need to drive because of distance try to park a few blocks away to walk to the school and our School Council has also organized a Walking School Bus with 5 "gathering spots" near the school where parents can drop their children to walk with a group the rest of the way. This week, one of our walking school buses had more than 20 people (parents and students). Karen, one of our parent volunteers commented, "When we got to the school, there were absolutely no cars in front of the school. It was amazing!"
Students are encouraged to walk or wheel to school. If they do so, they get a "ticket" and are entered in a draw for a prize. We make announcements to remind them that Walking Wednesday is coming and to talk about the benefits of Walking and Wheeling to school. Everyone is able to participate: Families who need to drive because of distance try to park a few blocks away to walk to the school and our School Council has also organized a Walking School Bus with 5 "gathering spots" near the school where parents can drop their children to walk with a group the rest of the way. This week, one of our walking school buses had more than 20 people (parents and students). Karen, one of our parent volunteers commented, "When we got to the school, there were absolutely no cars in front of the school. It was amazing!"
What our students are saying:
"I liked walking in the morning with my mom. It was nice. I had to miss some of my show though."
"I just had a good walk. I enjoyed the fresh air."
"I liked walking in the morning with my mom. It was nice. I had to miss some of my show though."
"I just had a good walk. I enjoyed the fresh air."