Leffler, Cookie
(
4/10/2012 9:25 AM):
JACKSON, MS, Tuesday, April 10, 2012---Lake Elementary School in Pascagoula, MS, will be awarded the “Golden Sneaker Award” for the third year in a row. The Golden Sneaker Trophy is awarded to a Mississippi school with the highest percentage of student walkers (and bicyclists) participating in “International Walk to School” events held statewide every October.
Lake Elementary had 99 percent of its student body participate in the Walk to School event in October and will be awarded the “Golden Sneaker Award” on April 13, 2012. Second place went to College Park Elementary in Gautier with 75 percent participation. Magnolia Middle School in Meridian came in third with 70 percent of student participation.
Walk to School events are promoted by MDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program as a first step to making active transportation possible for students and their families. The top three schools are awarded plaques in appreciation for their efforts as a walking/cycling community and every participating student the winning event receives prizes.
West Bolivar Middle School in Rosedale received the “Step It Up” award for exhibiting spirit and innovation in inspiring others to participate in the 2011 Walk to School Day. The school hosted a parade throughout the town of Rosedale, educating community members of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
The overall goal of Walk to School Day is to give students, parents, teachers and school administrators as well as city officials the opportunity to walk along the streets surrounding their school and identify barriers prohibiting students to safely walk and bicycle to school daily and to begin the discussion about the improvements needed to make the routes safer.
For more information on how to plan a walk to school event in your community, please visit www.healthyms.com/walktoschool. For more information about MDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program, contact Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator Cookie Leffler at