[Vision2020] PR - SR2S Polar Walk

[Stephanie Kalasz]

City of Moscow
206 E Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
p     |  208-883-7006
e     |   griedner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:griedner at ci.moscow.id.us>
w    |  www.ci.moscow.id.us<http://www.ci.moscow.id.us>

PRESS RELEASE
2012 Polar Walk Scheduled for February 8 , 2012

January 30, 2012 (Moscow, Idaho) -   On February 8, 2012, Safe Routes to Schools is encouraging all Moscow Elementary and Junior High aged students to Walk, Slide or Glide to School! for this winter's Polar Walk sponsored by Safe Routes to School as one of the three events organized annually to encourage safe and active travel.

Standard activities for all Safe Routes to School events include: parking away from schools at the Park and Walk locations and encouraging parents and students to walk at least walk part of the way to school on that day, incentives distributed to participating students, and kids being active and having fun before the bell rings! All Walk to School events encourage physical activity, teach pedestrian safety, decrease traffic congestion, decrease emissions, address concerns for the environment, and build connections between families, schools and the community.

Students who participate are encouraged to dress warmly and will be given a warm drink once they arrive.  Students walking to school in the cold for the Polar Walk are invited to find the stuffed polar bears placed along various routes to various schools.  Bussed students are encouraged to be physically active before the bell rings by participating in an organized game once they arrive on school property. University of Idaho Athletes and Elementary Education majors will be volunteering for the Polar Walk at all schools.

Each school is encouraged to create fun and different activities at their school for the Polar Walk. Visit the Safe Routes to School website at www.SR2S.com<http://www.SR2S.com> for ideas and pictures of polar bear snowmen and igloos made out of plastic milk cartoons.

This year Safe Routes is also inviting all schools to participate in a Walking School Bus Challenge. Walking School Buses pick up students along the route at designated bus stops, ensure students are walking together with the supervision of and adult, and make sure the students get to school before the bell. To find out what the winning school will win for the Walking School Bus Challenge, visit the Safe Routes to School website at www.SR2Smoscow.com<http://www.SR2Smoscow.com>.

Polar bears are the theme for the Polar Walk this year and Safe Routes to School is excited to announce that local artist Jan Perley's painting of a polar bear in her "On Top of the World" work is featured on Polar Walk posters for 2012.

Police will be present in every school zone for the morning of the event, as they are for every school day.  Motorists are asked to be aware of their speed on this and all school days.

This event, as all other Walk to School days, are organized and funded by the University of Idaho's Safe Routes to School Program which is funded by a grant received by the City of Moscow. Safe Routes to School encourages and educates about safe and active travel to school.

For additional local information about the Safe Routes to School program, please contact Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Brooke Lowry at blowry at uidaho.edu<mailto:blowry at uidaho.edu>  and/or go to www.SR2Smoscow.com<http://www.SR2Smoscow.com>

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Story Contact: Alisa Stone, Grants Manager
Phone: 208-883-7600
Email: astone at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:astone at ci.moscow.id.us>


The City of Moscow delivers quality municipal services while ensuring responsible use of resources.
We anticipate and meet the needs of our diverse population in order to build public trust and enhance a sense of community.



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