[Vision2020] PR - Moscow, Idaho schools celebrate the Polar Walk on February 12th 2014

[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
Moscow, Idaho schools celebrate the Polar Walk on February 12th 2014

February 5, 2014 (Moscow, Idaho) - Eight schools in Moscow plan to enjoy walking and sledding to school in the cold weather for the Polar Walk on February 12, 2014. Participating schools include: Moscow Middle School, Lena Whitmore, A. B. McDonald Elementary, St. Mary's Catholic School, Moscow Charter School, Palouse Prairie School of Expeditionary Learning, J. Russell Elementary, and West Park Elementary.

All participants who walk, bike, or glide to school will receive a polar bear pencil eraser from Safe Routes to School and a hot drink when they arrive. As an added fun challenge, two stuffed polar bears will also be hidden on school property at each school for students to find.

Walking with adults and in groups is safer than walking alone. Students and parents are invited to join the Walking School Buses coordinated by PTA/PTO leaders and led by parent volunteers.  Park-and-Walk locations are located around schools for students who live too far from school to walk the entire way.  To see a map of recommended walking routes to your school, and Park-and-Walk locations, visit www.SR2Smoscow.com<http://www.SR2Smoscow.com>/maps and click on your school for printable maps.

For this community event, approximately 1,500 students from Moscow Schools will be participating along with over 250 parents, teachers and community leaders. Over 40 University of Idaho students will be volunteering at our Moscow Schools to serve hot chocolate to all participating students and parents.

Safe Routes to School walk to school events like the Polar Walk raise awareness for the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. These events also build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

Safe Routes to School is a partner with the Movement Sciences department at the University of Idaho.  Our mission statement focuses on 5 E's (Encouragement, Education, Evaluation, Enforcement and Engineering). Moscow's program has received a series of grants to fund the following:


*        Encouragement

o   International Walk to School Day

o   Polar Walk Event

o   Fill the Racks! bike event

o   Backpack Token Incentive Program

o   Walking School Buses

o   Maps with recommended safe walking routes

o   Student bike art exhibitions

o   Helmet decorating

*        Education

o   Website www.SR2Smoscow.com<http://www.SR2Smoscow.com> as a Resource and Reporting Tool

o   Moscow School District "Pulse" Newsletter contributions

o   Bike Rodeo at Officer Newbill Kid's Safety Fair

o   News Articles

*        Evaluation

o   School Site Assessments from I-Stop

o   Travel Tallies National SR2S Data Base

*        Enforcement

o   Collaboration with Moscow Police School Resource Officer

o   Speed and It's the Law to Stop for Pedestrian Signs

o   Crossing Guard Equipment

*        Engineering

o   Infrastructure-Sidewalks & ADA Pedestrian Drops in School Zones

o   Planning for Middle School parking lot and D St. improvements

Safe Routes to School grant initiatives began in 2007 and since that time more than 3,750 linear feet of sidewalks have been installed.

For additional information, please contact Brooke Lowry at 208.596.0879 or a specific school's PTA/PTO leader for school-specific information about Safe Routes to School resources.

###

Story Contact: Brooke Lowry, Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Phone: 208.596.0879
Email: blowry at gmail.com<mailto:blowry at gmail.com>

For additional information, please visit these websites:

Moscow Safe Routes to School                                  www.SR2Smoscow.com<http://www.SR2Smoscow.com>
Walk to School Day in the USA                                   www.walkbiketoschool.org<http://www.walkbiketoschool.org>
National Center for Safe Routes to School            www.saferoutesinfo.org<http://www.saferoutesinfo.org>


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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