Walking toward health, fun

SANDPOINT — Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Safe Routes to School Walk to School Day was a great success district-wide, with nearly 1,000 students participating.

From parents to community leaders, the day featured students walking to school with an emphasis on pedestrian safety, physical activity, and community connections.

Washington Elementary School celebrated Walk to School Day with an eight-block trek beginning at the Bonner County Administration Building. Alongside everyday walking families, student bus riders were able to enjoy Walk to School Day as well. Washington Principal Tassia Hamer, Steve Lockwood, Mayor Shelby Rognstad, along with other city officials and parents, forged the path for the bus group. Washington welcomed a total of 191 students — their biggest group yet.

Farmin-Stidwell Elementary students started their Walk to School Day journey at the East Bonner County Library District. Their group was joined by Principal Erik Olson, Officer Ziegler, city officials, teachers, and parent volunteers. Farmin-Stidwell had over 100 students total participate in the event.

School buses and parents made special stops at the Brittany Loop Trailhead to allow Kootenai Elementary students to take part in the Walk to School Day celebration. Principal Kelli Knowles and Kootenai’s guest, Idaho state Rep. Sage Dixon, joined the students walking to school. Kootenai had around 75 students participate in the Walk to School Day Event.

Since many of our rural schools are limited in participating in Walk to School Day due to their location, they chose to participate in Walk AT School events at recess or other times throughout the day. Northside Elementary, Sagle Elementary, Hope Elementary, and Clark Fork Junior/Senior High were among those that participated in these events with More than 480 students total.

Quite a few Sandpoint Middle School, Lake Pend Oreille and Sandpoint high school students already routinely walk or bike to school. Safe Routes encourages the family vehicle travelers to join them by starting their own walking routine by even parking a few blocks away and finishing the journey to school walking.

Walk to School Day could not occur without the support of our school administration, staff, transportation department, community leaders, local law enforcement, and big brothers and sisters, as well as parents. Safeway and Super 1 Foods also donated snacks for the students.

So why walk to school? First of all, it’s fun. There’s a feeling of joy and independence, a sense of adventure. When walking, parents and children get to appreciate things they don’t notice while driving like listening to the sounds of the neighborhood, seeing friends, and feeling connected with their community.

Walk to School Day connects with many issues that communities care about, such as creating safer, more walkable routes to school; building a sense of community or school spirit; and inspiring families to use their feet for the school commute more often. Walk to School Day events are an easy way for students and families to try walking to school with little commitment. They might be surprised at how little time it takes and how much everyone enjoys it.

Walking to school enables students to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity helps build strong bones, muscles and joints, and it decreases the risk of obesity. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents get one hour or more of physical activity each day.

Erin Billings is the Safe Routes to School coordinator for the Lake Pend Oreille School District.