Wake County Public School System students take part in 2009 Walk to School Day
October 6, 2009 - Students from schools across Wake County will take part in the national Walk To School celebration on Wednesday, October 7.The purpose of the project is to enhance the health of our students and their families by providing an opportunity to increase physical activity, draw greater community awareness to safe walking and biking routes to school and demonstrate community strategies to improve air quality. Walk to School day is just one example of a lifestyle change that could help curb our nation's obesity and Type II Diabetes epidemic.
The schools that have decided to participate in Walk to School have organized different ways to encourage their students and families to be involved.
Baucom Elementary (Apex, NC) has been an active participant in Walk to School events for nine years. Connie Cronk says they have a year-long walking incentive program called the Baucom Buddies Walking Club. The new club includes monthly incentives such as September’s "School Days Dash" and October’s. "Pumpkin Run" to encourage all students to walk daily.
Cronk says they strive to reach out to the entire school, students, staff and families and get them all Walking for Wellness.
Contact: Connie Cronk at 919-387-2168
Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary (Raleigh, NC) will be holding their Walk to School Day on the official International Walk to School Day, which takes place on Wednesday, October 7. The Brooks family is expecting over 100 students, staff, and parents to come out and join the fun. Brooks’ walk begins at St. Marks Church, 4801 Six Forks Road around 8:20 a.m. and ends at Brooks Museums Magnet School.
Contact: Chuck Amato, Physical Education Specialist, at 881-1350 or by email at camato@wcpss.net.
Olive Chapel Elementary (Apex, NC) will be kicking off its Walking Wednesday’s program on International Walk to School Day, October 7th. Olive Chapel is expecting over 500 students, parents, and staff members at their eighth Walk to School Day. The walk will depart for school by 8:30 a.m. from various “Walking School Bus Stops” that meet at designated places in nearby neighborhoods including Kidstown Park and Pearson Farms Pool. This is part of Olive Chapel’s nationally acclaimed program, Walking School Bus. Olive Chapel’s Walking School Bus hosts Wednesday walks that take place each month.
Contact: Katie Caggia, Physical Education Specialist, at 387-4440 or email at kcaggia@wcpss.net. More information about the Walking School Buses can be found at http://olivechapeles.wcpss.net/walk.html.
Penny Road Elementary (Cary, NC) is set to participate in Walk to School Day on October 7th at 8:20 a.m. with approximately 200 students and family members joining Stormy, the Carolina Hurricanes’ mascot on a fun-filled walk beginning at Cambridge Pool and proceeding back to school.
Contact: Christine Hughes, Physical Education Specialist at 919-387-2146 or chughes@wcpss.net .
Stough Elementary (Raleigh, NC) is participating in Walk to School. The walkers are starting at the Harris Teeter at Olde Raleigh Village Shopping Center at the intersection of Edwards Mill and Duraleigh roads at 8 a.m.
Contact: Mathew Hooker, Stough Elementary Physical Education teacher at 919-881-4950 or mhooker1@wcpss.net
Wake Forest Elementary (Wake Forest, NC) will be participating in the International Walk to School Day on October 7th beginning at 8:55 a.m. Approximately 600 students, parents, community members and school staff are expected to participate. They will begin their walk from the plaza parking lot of the old CVS/Dollar General Store location on Brooks Street in Wake Forest and proceed to the school.
Contact: Natalie Kotuby, Physical Education Specialist at nkotuby@wcpss.net
Wakefield Elementary (Raleigh, NC) plans to teach safe pedestrian behaviors, promote physical activity and concern for the environment at Wakefield Elementary School through a partnership with Safe Kids Wake County and local FedEx.
Contact: Nancy Kelley-Cram at 919-562-3555
Other schools that have reported to the national Walk to School website that they plan to participate in the event are:
Davis Drive Elementary
Contact: Marge Ypema at 919-387-2130
Highcroft Drive Elementary
Contact: Gwen Gordon at 919-460-3527
Leesville Road Elementary
Contact: Marguerite Leblanc at 919-783-5980
Lynn Road Elementary
Contact: Suzy Lamb at 919-870-4074
Northwoods Elementary
Contact: Dan Cuffe at 919-460-3491
Wiley International Magnet Elementary
Contact: Jessica Whitaker at 919-546-2581
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