International Walk to School Day 2011

LiveWell Wheat Ridge Conference Call

September 15, 2011

Presentation Overview

1. Who is LiveWell Wheat Ridge?

2. Children and Physical Activity

3. International Walk to School Day 2011

4. Safe Routes to School Grants

5. Resources

Molly Hanson, LiveWell Wheat Ridge Coordinator

Ted Heyd, LiveWell Wheat Ridge Technical and Planning Consultant

Lieutenant Wade Hammond, Wheat Ridge Police Department

Dayna Ashley-Oehm – Wheat Ridge Community Member

Conference Call Contributors

Who is LiveWell Wheat Ridge?

LiveWell Wheat Ridge (LWWR) is one of 22 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 combat 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, 2011

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– Neighborhood– Elected officials

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

Additional SRTS Webinar – September 20 @ 11am

Creating BUZZ Around Your SRTS Event

Presenters:Caroline Dickson, National Center for Safe Routes to School

Rosie Stern, Michigan Fitness Foundation Katy Jones, UNC Highway Safety Research Center

This webinar will highlight a unique and fun WTS event and provide tips on how to

get the word out, involve media, and bring attention to your WTS activities.

This webinar is part of the Safe Routes to School Coaching Action Network Webinar Series, developed by America Walks and the National Center for Safe

Routes to School.

For more information please contact Michelle Gulley at mgulley@americawalks.org

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

Source: Google Images

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

Source: Google Images

Safe Routes to SchoolsCreate 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

Thank You!

For more information or questions please contact:

Molly HansonLiveWell Wheat Ridge Coordinator

mhanson@jeffco.usPH 720-345-8547