Westglen School

Winter Walk Day

This is the fourth year that Westglen has been involved in the Walk to School Days.  We do it twice a year to coincide with SHAPEs dates.  My Earth Patrols (12 Grade 6 students in my environmental club) promote the walk in several ways. They go from class to class promote the walk.

For the winter walk, we have a huge map of our community on our bulletin board and students are encouraged to label their house to show how far they walk.

On the morning of the walks all walkers are encouraged to come into the school through the FRONT DOORS which are normally for visitors.  Those children who are normally driven are dropped off a few blocks away. As they arrive the Earth Patrols greet them with pom poms and cheering.  Each walker signs in on a runner or boot and gets a fruit leather snack.

At 10:00 we do the school wide walk.  Students/guests come to gym with coats and SHAPE stickers on.  We have tried to include the whole community by inviting the Daycare, Playschool, seniors and members of the nearby fitness club.  We've been fortunate to have local Junior High students act as mascots or escorts.  The local High School has sent their cheer team several times as well.  We also hype up our assembly by inviting mascots from Club Moo, U of A, Barney the Bear, Niska and sports teams.  We even had an Olympic Race Walking Athlete! The Earth Patrol talks briefly about the physical and environmental benefits of walking. Then off we go.

As the group leave the gym we play music.  We circle the city block for 15 minutes then children have their recess while special guest share refreshments.

We have many parents who come and join us and the support from community organizations is wonderful.

Costs for fruit snacks for students and refreshments for guests are minimal.

Change in behaviour is more of a change in awareness.  One Gr. 2 student said "What's the big deal, I walk to school everyday?!"  He is a lucky one!  The events include the promotion of walking not just to school but in daily life.

Encourage others to do it - certainly  it's easy, fun and such an important PE and environmental message.

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