The document outlines the International Walk to School Day 2012 organized by Livewell Wheat Ridge, focuses on promoting physical activity among children, and provides strategies for implementing a successful event. It emphasizes the importance of safety and community involvement, discussing potential barriers and offering resources for planning. Key contributors include local stakeholders such as school officials and police, and it encourages ongoing engagement beyond the event.

1. International Walk to School Day 2012
LiveWell Wheat Ridge and Partners Conference Call
September 12, 2012
12:00 – 12:45PM

2. 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

3. Conference Call Contributors
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

4. 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.

5. Creating Safe Environments For Students
to Walk or Bike to School Can Increase
Their Daily Physical Activity

6. How Are Kids Currently Getting to School?
60% Driven
27% Bused
1% Biked
12%
Walked
Source: NHTS –
National Household
Travel Survey -
Federal Highway
Administration

7. Potential Barriers to Walking and Bicycling
to School
Physical Time and
Layout of Community Family Schedules Safety
Information take from CDC presentation Walking and Bicycling to School: Community Presentation

8. Why is walking to school important?
What are the benefits?
Information take from CDC presentation Walking and Bicycling to School: Community Presentation

9. Walk to School Day
Getting Started
 Week of October 3, 2012
 Identify a steering team
 Get school administrative
buy-in
• Think about seniors as a partner in the event

10. 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

11. Walking to School
What 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

12. Walking to School
What 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

13. 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

14. Measuring Impact and Participation of
Your WTSD Event
• Participant Cards
• Satisfaction Surveys
• Etc.

15. Walk to School Day
 Make this more than a one-day event
– Walking School Bus
– Walking Wednesdays
– Etc.
Source: Google Images

16. 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

17. How to Keep the Momentum and Build Upon
Walk To School Events ……
Source: Google Images

18. Colorado Safe Routes to School
Program Create Healthier Communities
 Many stakeholders
 Multiple benefits
 Common agenda
 Highly adaptable
 Sustainable

19. Supplemental Information
Denver Public School "Getting to School Safely" DVD (In English and Spanish)
http://riskmanagement.dpsk12.org/traffic_safety_dvd
Kids Walk-to-School: A Guide to Promote Walking to School:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/pdf/kidswal
k.pdf
Brochure from CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/pdf/kidswalk_brochure.pdf

20. Additional Resources
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/walking_school_bus/resources_wsb.cfm
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/resources.htm#guide
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/294/17/2160

21. Questions?

22. 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