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Maryville Institutes Walk to School Wednesdays!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Successful Walking Program at Maryville Elementary School in Maryville, Illinois!
Because the majority of parent surveys cited safety concerns as the number one reason children are not encouraged to walk, the Safe Routes Committee decided to try scheduling specific days where groups of children could be chaperoned by adults as they walk to school. The first event was scheduled at the end of the 2007/2008 school year as a test to gauge families’ reception to the idea. The walk was attended by approximately 100 children, which was a great start!
For the 2008/2009 School Year, Maryville Elementary instituted “Walk to School Day” on the first Wednesday of each month. Five drop-off points have been designated around town; adult volunteers and Village Officials are at each drop-off to chaperone the children on their walk to school. Upon arrival at school, walkers are served a healthy snack of granola bars. This program is not currently funded with outside funds.
Our Walk to School Days have been a resounding success with kids and parents alike. The children eagerly anticipate the event each month, with approximately 150 kids and 15 to 20 adult volunteers participating at each walk so far!
Due to the great response, the Principal of the school has decided to implement a “Frequent Walkers Club” this spring. Children will receive a punch card to document how many times they walk to school (opportunities to walk around the playground will also be given during recess time) and children will receive a reward for filling their cards.
Maryville is planning to seek outside funding for the Frequent Walkers Club in the future.
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Plano Walk to School Day Success Story & Video
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Plano Middle School, which has an enrollment of 308 students, had approximately 200 students participate in making this event a success. The School District had busses drop bus riders at a good distance from school to enable them to participate also. Plano Police Department, City Aldermen, Teachers and other volunteers were on hand to encourage the students and have safe street crossing on the route to school. Donations of specially made stickers, bottled water and snack bars were given to the students who participated in the walk to school. Everyone involved had a great time, so next year we are planning to involve all schools K-8 to make this an even bigger event.
For a look at Plano's Walk to School Day, please visit:
http://www.reapernation.com/08Walk.html
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Collaboration key to community’s SRTS program
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Finding SRTS opportunities for children with disabilities
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Building Sidewalks in Maryville
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Big Plans in Sherman Illinois
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