|
previous | next
Four Steps for a Walk to School
Event
Many Chicagoland schools will participate in
International Walk to School Day on Oct. 4. There are plenty
of opportunities to organize Walk to School Day activities and it
only takes a few steps to see it through.
Here is a checklist of steps you can take to get your local school
on board:
 |
| Organizing an effective Walk &
Bike to School Day event requires the support and participation
of the school principal, police and parents. Ask them to be
partners. |
1. Get partners:
You’ll need the support and participation of the school principal,
police and parents. Ask them to be partners. The principal can give
the school's
commitment, while the local police department is a valuable resource
and will ensure that safety is a priority. Parents add energy and
enthusiasm and make the walk work. Forging partnerships with public
officials and other community leaders – such as mayors and
city council members schools – has gotten sidewalks fixed
and new trails built in record time. Walk to School celebrations
present leaders an opportunity to publicly support health, environment
and safety initiatives, so consider finding ways to involve them.
2. Plan:
Work with partners to plan the celebration. Together, decide what
type of event fits your school and community. Choose a focus for
the walk, such as promoting physical activity or pedestrian safety,
and determine whether the event will last one day or a week. Local
businesses might be willing to sponsor the walk by providing refreshments
or small gifts for participants.
3. Register your event:
By registering at www.walktoschool.org,
you make the event known to media, your community and other participants.
You'll get access to additional materials and information and the
chance to win money for your event.
4. Promote it:
Tell students, parents and others how to participate. Making announcements
at school, publishing school newsletter articles and sending fliers
home are just a few ways to get the word out. Posting signs along
the route a few days ahead will help the community know. Business
sponsors may want to hang signs in their stores. Media coverage
of the event brings visibility to the event’s purpose and
any changes that need to be made to make it safer for children to
walk and bike to school. When media cover your event, they help
spread the word of the great health, safety, environmental and social
benefits of more children walking to school every day. Colorful
signs, held by smiling, walking children and adults, create a perfect
photo opportunity.
source: National
Center for Safe Routes to School
|
