The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program invited area PSD schools to participate in a Walk/Bike-to-School Challenge and Shepardson, Riffenburgh and Dunn Elementary Schools took us up on it. Each have launched a challenge to their students to see how many days they can 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 walk or ride to school 10+% of the time will earn a Bronze certificate. Those who do so 25+% will earn a Silver certificate. And those who ride 50% or more will earn 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 is also layering in their own additional prizes for students who achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold certificates.

Those who also walk or ride at least 2-times each week during the challenge will receive a special sticker to display proudly on their water bottles or helmets. The idea is 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.