In March, the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program invited area PSD schools to participate in a Walk/Bike-to-School Challenge. Shepardson, Riffenburgh and Dunn Elementary Schools took us up on it. Each launched a challenge to their students to see how many days they could walk or ride their bikes to school between March 22 and May 21 at Shepardson and Riffenburgh, and March 29 and May 21 at Dunn.
Those who walked or rode to school 10+% of the time earned a Bronze certificate. Those who did so 25+% earned a Silver certificate. And those who rode 50% or earned the top recognition of a Gold certificate, consistent with the SRTS program’s overarching goal/vision to see 50% or more of PSD students walking or riding their bikes to school on a regular basis. Each school also layered in some of their own additional prizes for students who achieved Bronze, Silver or Gold certificates.
Those who also walked or rode at least 2-times each week during the challenge
received a special sticker to display proudly on their water bottles or helmets. The idea was to collect one each week over the nine weeks and have them cover their helmets, not unlike college football players do when they make a play or do something to earn a similar sticker.
We’re happy to report that the results are in–and they were impressive. In all, 702 students earned certificates as follows:
SHEPARDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- GOLD CERTIFICATES: 166
- SILVER CERTIFICATES: 43
- BRONZE CERTIFICATES: 56
DUNN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- GOLD CERTIFICATES: 191
- SILVER CERTIFICATES: 39
- BRONZE CERTIFICATES: 33
RIFFENBURGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- GOLD CERTIFICATES: 81
- SILVER CERTIFICATES: 47
- BRONZE CERTIFICATES: 46
Congratulations to each school and all the students who particpated.
A special thanks to each school’s P.E. teacher for coordinating the challenge within their school, and for all other school staff and teachers for supporting the Challenge and encouraging the students.