Walk/Run
Program
Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
To Whom It May Concern,
A school walk/run program is one of the safest and easiest ways to get students
engaged in physical activity. Walk/run programs can be a great way to promote
healthy classrooms, healthy schools, and healthy kids. A walk/run program helps
reach students daily and enables students to get the recommended 60 minutes
of physical activity every day.
School walk/run programs help to empower students to take charge of their
health through physical activity. Many walk/run programs also incorporate
healthy eating curriculum into their lessons through Fuel Up to Play 60 (more
information can be accessed at http://www.fueluptoplay60.com) and 5-2-1-0
messaging.
Walk/run programs help to make a difference in the lives of students as well as
make a difference in the vitality of a community.
The following is a tool-kit to provide you with the basic information to implement
a walk/run program at your school. It is the intent that this short tool-kit act as
a resource for your current walk/run program or aid in the implementation of a
new walk/run program at your school.
Various organizations helped to make this tool-kit possible. Partners include:
High Five Children’s Health Collaborative Powered by the Blue Cross of Idaho
Foundation for Health, Idaho Dairy Council, and St. Luke’s.
If you would like a more extensive tool-kit or more information about other
programs please contact High Five at [email protected].
b
High Five Children’s Health Collaborative – Walk/Run Program
Walk/Run Program
When
Walk/run programs can be a year round experience or they can take place within
a specific time frame (like the month of October) for students and staff. Some
walk/run programs have a fall and a spring kick-off in order to get students
excited about the program.
Some walk/run programs occur before school and/or some occur during recess
throughout the day. Examples of some successful walk/run programs include:
• K-2nd grade participate in the walk/run program during morning recess
• 3-5th grade or 4-6th grade participate in the walk/run program during
afternoon recess
Splitting the grades up during the walk/run program helps to ensure safety while
students are participating in the program, and can help make tracking laps easier
for the parent and teacher helpers.
During lunch is not the optimal time for a walk/run program. Students have been
known to neglect eating their lunch in order to rush outside.
Where
OUTDOOR TRACK
Some schools have access to outdoor tracks. Tracking miles is typically
straightforward. For example, one lap around a track is 1/4 of a mile, thus 4 laps
around a track would equate to 1 mile. Or, one lap around the track is 1/8 of a
mile, thus 8 laps around a track would equate to 1 mile.
GREEN SPACE
Not every school has a track available for use. The inability to access a track
does not mean a walk/run program is not possible. The majority of schools
utilize available green space and measure out laps to be the equivalent of
walking/running a mile. For example, measure 1/4 of a mile using a measuring
wheel and 4 laps would equate a mile. Note; there are 5,280 feet in a mile and
1,320 feet in a 1/4 mile.
Oftentimes programs set up cones around the circumference of a green space
that students run/walk around. Schools that do not have adequate green space
have also utilized the sidewalks around the school.
High Five Children’s Health Collaborative – bcidahofoundation.org
1
Tracking
Each program is different. It may take some trial and error to find the tracking
method that works best for your school.
It is important that there is leadership and teacher buy-in to the program. It is
very difficult for the school coordinator to track laps for every student. Many
schools leave it up to each teacher to create an Excel spreadsheet to track laps
when students come in after recess. Taking the time to track allows for students
to settle down and be excited about what they accomplished.
Tracking examples:
• Popsicle sticks
o Box of 500 jumbo Popsicle sticks
oEach time a student completes a lap they get a Popsicle stick. The walk/
run program is tracked through the number of Popsicle sticks that each
student gets. The Popsicle sticks are counted daily in the student’s
classroom and tracked in an excel spreadsheet by the teacher.
• Paper and hole punch cards
oEach time a student completes a lap they get a hole punched on a walk/
run program punch card that is tallied up weekly. The student writes
their name on the card. Individual cards can be tracked in an Excel
spreadsheet by the teacher in the classroom.
Classroom teachers are responsible for inputting laps/miles into an Excel
spreadsheet or other document to track student success.
• Some programs use http://www.ezmileageclub.com/why-tally.php
METRICS: MEASURING SUCCESS
One way to measure a walk/run program’s success is through comparing
students’ timed mile results. Schools and coordinators would be responsible
for obtaining this information. Through comparing the fall time with the spring
time students are able to see how much they improved in part through their
participation in a school walk/run program.
Metrics provide tangible evidence of the positive impact walk/run programs
have on the lives of students.
2
High Five Children’s Health Collaborative – Walk/Run Program
Support
ADMINISTRATION
In order to start a walk/run program, a coordinator and cocoordinator needs to be identified. There needs to be buy
in from school leadership and all the teachers.
COORDINATOR
A coordinator could be a PE teacher, parent, or other
committed individual. This person will take responsibility
for the walk/run program schedule and supplies.
STUDENT HELPERS
Choose a classroom to be the student helpers. These
students are
responsible for:
1. Tracking student laps via Popsicle sticks or hole
punches (depending on what method your schools
uses this will differentiate)
2. Holding up a sign two minutes before the bell rings so
that no one is late
to class
TEACHER EXPECTATIONS
Walk/run programs cannot be successful without
the support of teachers. Teachers take turns and are
responsible for:
1.Motivate!
2. Keep track of each student’s daily laps via an Excel
document or other format
3. Tracking student laps via Popsicle sticks or hole
punches (depending on what method your schools uses
this will differentiate)
High Five Children’s Health Collaborative – bcidahofoundation.org
3
Benefits of a Walk/Run Program
MENTAL
• Better learning
• Increased level of oxygen to the brain
• More alert
• Better sleep
EMOTIONAL
• Improves self-esteem
• Elevates mood
• Reduces stress and depression
• Way to make friends
PHYSICAL
• Prevent disease
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Improved performance in sports and other activities
• Improved cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength
SCHOOL
• Utilize math in and out of the classroom to count laps and miles
• Decrease in disciplinary issues
• Healthy outlet for students
• Less playground injuries
• Community and school spirit
4
High Five Children’s Health Collaborative – Walk/Run Program
Success Stories
LENNETTE MEYER, STAR ELEMENTARY
“Since we have a safe track to run/walk on, we have
more students getting out at first recess than ever before.
Students are excited for the incentives, setting goals and
meeting those goals. I have two fifth grade boys who are out
there every single day doing at least two miles or more in 15
minutes. They have reached over 100 miles so far this year.
I see their time is getting faster and faster. They tell me it
makes them feel better and able to focus on their work when
they get back inside the classroom. The AM kindergarteners
are out there every day. They are using their only recess to
go around the track. It gives them purpose and structure at
recess along with creating healthy habits. My program is
growing by leaps and bounds.”
Star Elementary’ s top 5 reasons to have a walking program:
1) Socializing with friends
2) Goal setting/challenges
3) Common Core (math concepts)
4) Better focus/concentration
5) Creates healthy habits”
ART SPRAGUE, PEREGRINE ELEMENTARY
“Our students walk every day for 15 minutes after their lunch
time recess. We have built this time into our daily schedule.”
ALYSSA MUNCH, ANSER CHARTER SCHOOL
Without access to a track Alyssa Munch as Anser charter
school got creative. “I used 2500 steps for a mile.”
DOREEN FOUTS, WHITTIER ELEMENTARY
“Without access to a track, I measure a quarter mile within
the school field and mark the area with cones that students
run around each day. I utilize healthful incentives, such as
slap bracelets, to reward students for reaching walking
milestones.”
JENNIFER STOOR, PONDEROSA PE TEACHER
“Knowing my students are getting up each morning excited
about physical education or participating in our walk/run
program, Pacers, keeps me motivated and very excited too.
That is what actually gets me out of the bed in the morning
thinking about the joy I will see on their faces. In 2002, I
started Pacers in the grassy field of our school, Ponderosa
Elementary, with the help of parents. The students chose to
walk during their lunch recess two times a week. In 2003,
our PTA built an asphalt track for the program. The track
was widened a few years later due to the large number
of participants. Now, Pacers in an everyday activity from
September to May where everyone gets involved from
students, teachers, the principal and even parent volunteers.
Teachers participate by walking and tracking their students’
miles. My principal purchases a white lab coat every year and
the students sign her coat for every 25 mile goal made. She
proudly wears it around school! Parents bring their young
children to school to walk with their school age children.
Parents also volunteer to help with the incentive program,
which recognizes students for miles by displaying a shoe with
their name and mileage in the hallway.
The impact of the Pacers program is undeniable. Families
adjust their vacation schedules and student appointments
around Pacers. Students don’t want to miss school.
Ponderosa Elementary is a school that is held in high regard
due to the Pacer’s program. In fact students who move from
Ponderosa are devastated. They don’t want to leave Pacers!
There have been in district transfers to Ponderosa who cited
the Pacers program as their reason for changing schools. The
health benefits experienced by the students as a result of
Pacers are numerous. From the 2nd grade boy who lost 20
pounds, or the girl who has a new found confidence, the boy
and girl who have a hard time making friends, or the child
who learned to control his asthma by doing 200 miles every
year for four years and is now a track athlete in middle school.
Every day I hear a story about a student who is touched
by my program from a teacher, my principal, a parent or by
them! There is not a bigger accomplishment than having my
students choosing to run/walk at their recess. Last year our
school travelled over 32,000 [miles] and 55% of my students
were considered “Advanced” in the mile run.”
High Five Children’s Health Collaborative – bcidahofoundation.org
5
8SHE]W0IWWSR Healthy
Students are
Better Students
Healthy Eating + Physical Activity = Improved Academic Performance
Only
Students who eat
breakfast have
better attention
and memory.
+SSHNSF
38%
of all teens eat
breakfast every day.
2IIHWMQTVSZIQIRX
After just
20minutes
of physical activity,
brain activity
improves.
Only
25%
high school students
are active for the
recommended 60
minutes each day.
What is the right answer?
7GLSSPW Kids spend 2000 hours
every year in school,which makes that the smart place
to encourage kids to eat right and get moving.
;IPPRIWW4VSKVEQW Programs like Fuel Up to Play 60
empower students to take actions like starting breakfast programs and
walking clubs. Community leaders, businesspeople and health
professionals can also assist schools in providing opportunities.
Extra credit:
Read The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Success Through Healthy
School Environments at NationalDairyCouncil.org
Learn more about how Fuel Up To Play 60 is helping schools to take action at
FuelUpToPlay60.com
American College of Sports Medicine, American School Health Association,
GENYOUth Foundation, National Dairy Council, The Wellness Impact:
Enhancing Academic Through Healthy School Environment, March 2013.
©2013 National Dairy Council. Fuel Up is a service mark of National Dairy Council.
of
THE PROOF IS IN
THE BRAIN
Recent controlled studies involving brain imaging are casting
new light on the effects of exercise and obesity on cognition.
They're providing visual evidence of the neurophysiological
impact of physical activity — or the lack thereof — on children.
Dr. Charles Hillman of the Department of Kinesiology and
Community Health at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign is teasing out the relationship between physical
activity and processes involved in attention, memory and
academic performance in children .
Cognitive Effects of Exercise in Preadolescent Children
Average composite of 20 students' brains taking the same
test after sitting quietly or taking a 20-minute walk.
After 20 minutes of
After 20 minutes of
Si t t i n g Q u i e t l y
W a l ki n g
Reprinted with permission of Dr. C. H. Hillman.
With the help of neuroimaging we're learning that:
* Physical fitness may benefit cognitive and brain health, as well
as academic performance.39
* Even single bouts of aerobic exercise have been shown to
benefit cognitive performance.4°
* Research indicates aerobic fitness levels of school children
may be associated with cognition and its neural
underpinnings-41
* Obesity is linked to adverse cognitive performance in schoolaged children and teens; and in older adults, obesity is actually
found to change brain structure.42
* There exists a positive association between fitness and key
aspects of learning — thus, early intervention is crucial toward
lifespan health and effective function of brain and cognition.26
For references to endnotes click on the “The Wellness Impact…Full Report”
at NationalDairyCouncil.org.
P.O. Box 8419 · Boise, ID · 83707
208-472-4594
bcidahofoundation.org
The High Five Children’s Health Collaborative, powered by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, is a statewide effort to fight childhood obesity in Idaho.