[Vision2020] PR - Polar Walk Scheduled for February 13

[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
Polar Walk Scheduled for February 13

February 6, 2013 (Moscow, Idaho) - Seven schools in Moscow will walk, slide, or glide to school on Wednesday, February 13 to celebrate Safe Routes to School's (SR2S) annual winter event "The Polar Walk."  Approximately 1,900 students from Lena Whitmore, West Park, Russell, McDonald, Moscow Middle School, Palouse Prairie Charter School, and Moscow Charter School will walk together with parents, teachers, and community leaders. Free hot chocolate and small prizes will be provided for all participating students and parents.

Some schools are forming walking school bus groups for a fun and safe way to travel to school.  All children arriving at school on foot, sled, bike, or bus will receive a snowflake token for their backpack to encourage active travel to school. Students traveling by car are encouraged to walk at least part of the way from a designated park and walk site in order to receive a snowflake. Students busing to school will join in activities upon arrival at school to earn a token.

Other special activities for the Polar Walk this year include University of Idaho athletes and student volunteers serving hot chocolate, a Walking School Bus Challenge (largest percentage of school participation wins), and hidden stuffed polar bears for students to find on their way to school. To learn more about the Polar Walk, the Walking School Bus Challenge, or to see Walking School Bus routes and drop-off and walk locations, see the Safe Routes to School website; www.SR2Smoscow.com<http://www.SR2Smoscow.com>.

The Polar Walk is the second of three annual SR2S events in Moscow. The Polar Walk is an especially energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. SR2S events in general are meant to increase awareness for safer walking and bicycling routes and emphasize the importance of physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment. SR2S events also build connections between families, schools, and the broader community.

Safe Routes to School has partnered with the City of Moscow, the University of Idaho and Moscow schools to educate and encourage safe walking and biking behaviors. Safe Routes to School funding is from the Idaho Department of Transportation and supports sidewalk development, walking and biking encouragement, and education.

For additional local information, please contact Brooke Lowry, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, at blowry at uidaho.edu<mailto:blowry at uidaho.edu> or visit these websites:
Moscow Safe Routes to School                                  www.SR2Smoscow.com<http://www.SR2Smoscow.com>
National Center for Safe Routes to School            www.saferoutesinfo.org<http://www.saferoutesinfo.org>

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Story Contact: Brooke Lowry, Safe Routes to School Coordinator or Helen Brown, UI Academic Faculty
Phone: 208.885.0172
Email: blowry at uidaho.edu<mailto:blowry at uidaho.edu>


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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