International Walk to School Day 2012

LiveWell Wheat Ridge and Partners Conference Call

September 12, 2012

12:00 – 12:45PM

Presentation Overview

1. What is LiveWell Wheat Ridge?

2. Children and Physical Activity

3. Suggestions on Implementing a Successful Walk to School Day in 2012

4. Colorado Safe Routes to School Grant Program

5. Resources

Tracy Langworthy – Prospect Valley Parent and Wheat Ridge City Council Member

Emily O’Winter – Jeffco Public School District Healthy Schools Coordinator

Lieutenant Wade Hammond, Wheat Ridge Police Department

Ted Heyd, LiveWell Wheat Ridge Planning Consultant

Molly Hanson, LiveWell Wheat Ridge Coordinator

Conference Call Contributors

Who is LiveWell Wheat Ridge?

LiveWell Wheat Ridge (LWWR) is one of approximately 25 Colorado communities funded by LiveWell Colorado working to reduce childhood and adult obesity.

LiveWell Wheat Ridge is a partnership of community stakeholders to create an environment and culture which supports healthy eating and active living (HEAL) to reduce and prevent adult and childhood obesity.

We accomplish this through supporting Wheat Ridge programs, policies and changes to the physical environment and community infrastructure.

Creating Safe Environments For Students to Walk or Bike to School Can Increase

Their Daily Physical Activity

Source: NHTS – National Household Travel Survey - Federal Highway Administration

60% Driven

27% Bused

1% Biked

12% Walked

How Are Kids Currently Getting to School?

Physical Layout of Community

Time andFamily Schedules Safety

Potential Barriers to Walking and Bicyclingto School

Information take from CDC presentation Walking and Bicycling to School: Community Presentation

Why is walking to school important?What are the benefits?

Information take from CDC presentation Walking and Bicycling to School: Community Presentation

Walk to School DayGetting Started

Week of October 3, 2012

Identify a steering team

Get school administrative buy-in

• Think about seniors as a partner in the event

Issues to Consider When Planning Your Walk to School Day

Choose safe routes; determine where groups will cross the street

Determine where groups will meet; consider a staging area; assign at least 5 adults to each staging area

Place safety volunteers along the routes

Consider placing signs along the routes

Walking to SchoolWhat Children Should Know

•Walk with an adult until you are age 10•Walk on the sidewalk•Walk facing traffic when on the street•Look left, right, left•Walk, do not run•Dress in bright colors•Stick to your planned route

Walking to SchoolWhat Guardians Should Know

• When walking, consider age, traffic, facilities and distance

• Practice with your child• Walk in groups• Teach safe behaviors• Remind your child to look both ways• Stress the dangers of driveways, parking lots, and

intersections

Walk to School Day Market your event

– School community– Neighborhoods– Local businesses

Invite your local elected officials to your event

Consider providing breakfast and/or incentives to increase participation

Go to http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/bikeped/safe-routes/walk-to-school to register your event, download a free WTSD toolkit and order free promotional items

Celebrate your success

Measuring Impact and Participation of Your WTSD Event

• Participant Cards

• Satisfaction Surveys

• Etc.

Walk to School Day Make this more than a one-day event

– Walking School Bus– Walking Wednesdays– Etc.

Source: Google Images

Walking School Bus and Other Creative Applications to Make Walking to School Fun

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid743373756001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAn7ySPsk~,QnjTJwkB81reoc2rX5gxQPlNvI6Qi6bF&bclid=0&bctid=754343594001

Source: Google Images

How to Keep the Momentum and Build UponWalk To School Events ……

Source: Google Images

Colorado Safe Routes to School Program Create Healthier Communities

Many stakeholders

Multiple benefits

Common agenda

Highly adaptable

Sustainable

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/pdf/kidswalk.pdf

Kids Walk-to-School: A Guide to Promote Walking to School:

Brochure from CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/pdf/kidswalk_brochure.pdf

Supplemental InformationDenver Public School "Getting to School Safely" DVD (In English and Spanish)

http://riskmanagement.dpsk12.org/traffic_safety_dvd

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/walking_school_bus/resources_wsb.cfm

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/resources.htm#guide

Additional Resources

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/294/17/2160

Questions?

Thank you!

For more information or questions please contact:

Tracy Langworthy davidg0126@peoplepc.com

Emily O’Winter owinter@jeffco.k12.co.us

Lieutenant Wade Hammond whammond@ci.wheatridge.co.us

Ted Heyd tedheyd@gmail.com

Molly Hanson mhanson@jeffco.us