“Walk to School Day” Promotes Healthy Lifestyles
October is officially “Walk and Bicycle to School Month,” as proclaimed by Marshfield Mayor Chris Meyer, and on Wednesday, October 5 local schools will participate in International Walk to School Day to celebrate.
In an effort to emphasize the importance of being physically active and of having safe routes to walk and bike to school, students in grades K-6 will walk to school from home or drop-off points, or walk with their schoolmates during the school day.
In partnership with the City of Marshfield, Marshfield Clinic, Healthy Lifestyles–Marshfield Area Coalition, and the Marshfield Noon Rotary Club, students will receive incentives (stickers and Craisins ® donated by Ocean Spray) and encouragement for walking or biking to school.
“The Healthy Lifestyles-Marshfield Area Coalition (HL-MAC) has been supporting Walk to School Day activities since 2010,” said Laura Zelenak, Health Educator at Marshfield Clinic working with the HL-MAC. “It began as an event to increase awareness of the need for safer routes for kids to walk and bike to school.”
Those students who ride the bus or those unable to walk or bike to school can participate in alternative physical activities as determined by their parents, teachers, or schools, and participating students will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of several prizes, including a bicycle.
“Evidence shows that when physical activity is incorporated into daily routine, people are more likely to be more consistent in their physical activity. Many kids don’t get the recommended 60 minutes per day of physical activity and walking and/or biking to/from school can help,” said Zelenak. “Kids have to travel anyway, so if that can be done with physical activity, they are being physically active AND getting to school.”
She added that there are also mental and social benefits.
“Kids can socialize with friends and will arrive to school alert and ready to start their day,” she said. “When kids walk from home, or even a nearby drop point, traffic congestion around schools goes down as well.”
A true community effort, there are many ways for everyone to get involved.
Parents can encourage their kids to participate in Walk to School activities by letting their children walk, walking with their children, or dropping their children off a few blocks from school so they can walk. Parents can also contact their school or teacher to find out exactly what their school is doing and how they can be involved.
Volunteers are needed at all schools to provide encouragement and incentives. Contact Theresa Balinghasay at 715-221-8400 to find out more.
Schools and teachers can participate in Walk to School Day and the Walk/Bike to School Challenge and support a culture of walking and biking in their school.
Parents of elementary school students can contact their child’s school for more details about Walk to School events or the Marshfield Clinic Center for Community outreach at 715-221-8400 or [email protected].
For more information about the Walk/Bike Challenge, contact Josh Miller at 715-486-2075 or [email protected].
