[Vision2020] PR - Moscow, Idaho schools celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 8th, 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 International Walk to School Day on October 8th, 2014

October 2, 2014 (Moscow, Idaho) - Seven schools in Moscow plan to join with over 40 other participating countries for International Walk to School Day on October 8, 2014.  Participating schools include: Moscow Middle School, Lena Whitmore, A. B. McDonald Elementary, J. Russell Elementary,  West Park Elementary, St. Mary's School, Moscow Charter School, and Palouse Prairie School of Expeditionary Learning.

Students can walk, bike, or roll to school.  Options for walking to school include leaving from home or parking a few blocks from school and walking in.  Students and parents are invited to join the Walking School Buses coordinated by PTA/PTO leaders and led by parent volunteers.  All Walking School Buses are planned to arrive at school on time.

Approximately 1,500 students from Moscow Schools will be participating in the event along with parents, teachers and community leaders. Mayor Bill Lambert, Moscow School District Superintendent Greg Bailey, Moscow School District Board member Margaret Dibble, and City Council members will join the event to help students celebrate this global event. University of Idaho Elementary Education student volunteers will be at each school to help with the event and continue the celebration.

Walk to School Day events raise awareness of 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. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

The event is being organized by Safe Routes to School which is a partner with the University of Idaho.  Safe Routes to School programs are the result of a series of grants that have provided funding for the following programs:


*        Encouragement

o   International Walk to School Day (iWalk)

o   The Polar Walk Event in February

o   Fill the Racks! bike event in May

o   Backpack Token Incentive Programs

o   Walking School Buses

o   Crossing Guard Training and Equipment

*        Education

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

o   Section in the Moscow School District "Pulse" Newsletter

o   Moscow Pullman Daily News Articles

*        Evaluation

o   School Site Assessments from I-Stop

o   Travel Tallies National SR2S Data Base

o   Enforcement

o   Collaboration with Moscow Police School Resource Officer

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

*        Engineering

o   Infrastructure-Sidewalks & ADA Pedestrian Drops in School Zones

o   Collaboration with U of I Engineering Faculty and students for free assessments and recommendations

For additional information, please contact Brooke Lowry blowry at uidaho.edu<mailto:blowry at uidaho.edu> 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>
International Walk to School Day                              www.iwalktoschool.org<http://www.iwalktoschool.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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