Feet First extends its thanks to all the wonderful schools that submitted entries to the second annual Feet First IWALK Challenge.
The event descriptions told heartwarming tales of schools and communities inspired to get active with their students. We received submissions from all corners of the State from the marine west to the arid east and learned much about how creative people can adapt IWALK to suit their community needs. Thank you for sharing your stories!
After weighing the strengths of all applications, our Celebrity Panel of Judges made the tough decisions necessary to identify the prize winners from the State. And the winners are¦¦.
West Woodland Elementary, winner of the IWALK Champion prize!
During Walk and Wheel Month, West Woodland Elementary students walking and wheeling to school are greeted by the Bike Fairy, a parent dressed with wings and a tutu. Students are awarded Hershey’s Kisses and stickers that say, “I got kissed by the Bike Fairy.”
The Celebrity Panel of Judges was immediately impressed by the creativity and reach of West Woodland Elementary’s IWALK campaign. For the entire month of October students tracked their non-driving trips on spreadsheets outside of each classroom door with the the two high participating classrooms, K-2 and 3-5, receiving the first annual “Walkie” award, a golden tennis shoe mounted to a decorative base. West Woodland Elementary partnered with community businesses like Great Harvest Bakery and a neighborhood bike shop to distribute breadsticks and headlamps. The IWALK Champion Prize will bring this veteran IWALK school $250 worth of active play equipment from USGames.com.
Island View Elementary, winner of the Sustainability prize!
Island View Elementary, now in their third Walk to School campaign, has seen both their numbers increase each year and alumni from the program walking and riding to middle school! The sustainability of Island View Elementary’s
program was obvious to the Celebrity Panel of Judges who loved the “Walk and Wheel: Everyday! Everywhere!” habit supporting tagline and the community engagement that included local police, school staff, parents and senior community volunteers. Island View Elementary works to include those unable to walk or ride, encouraging them to commute via bus or carpool to cut down the single occupancy traffic around the school.
As the days gets shorter in Anacortes, Washington, Island View Elementary is planning their “Winter Walk and Wheel: Light it Up” event, were students will receive headlights and reflective straps to support year round human-powered transportation. The IWALK Sustainability Prize will bring this IWALK school eight Walking School Bus leader packs.
Peter G. Schmidt Elementary, winner of the “Sustainability Runner-Up” prize!
The first Wednesday of every month, Peter G. Schmidt Elementary celebrates “Walk to School with Peter G. Staff.” On these mornings students have the opportunity to connect with their teachers outside the classroom and are
provided with active lifestyle models. Over half of the school staff participated in the annual Walk and Roll kickoff event on International Walk to School Day!
The sustainability of Peter G. Schmidt’s program was apparent to our Celebrity Panel of Judges. Students log their trips on a chart posted in the gym to track grade level participation while families are reminded of the benefits of walking and the safest routes to school through a monthly Walk and Roll newsletter. The IWALK Sustainability Runner-Up” Prize will bring this IWALK school four Walking School leader packs.
Honorable mentions go out to these schools for their IWALK events:
Viewlands Elementary School incorporated IWALK into an inclusive and multifaceted month-long campaign that included all students in some capacity and over 3,153 walked blocks.
Wahluke School District, last year’s IWALK Champions, again hosted an incredibly impressive district-wide Walk to School Day with about 1,300 participating students.
Congratulations, to all of the participating schools! We also would like to extend one final THANK YOU to our panel of judges: Sara Butzine, School Health and Wellness Program Supervisor at OSPI, Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich of Spokane County and State Representative Marko Liias of the 21st Legislative District. Your generosity and commitment to the health and safety of Washington students is exemplary. All schools that submitted entries to the IWALK Challenge will receive a certificate from this panel of judges.
If you would like to receive information about next year’s contest, fill out this short survey and we will send you timely updates so that you, too, can take part in the Feet First IWALK Challenge.