Watch this short story-- The Story of Broke

The (short) Story of Broke, by Annie Leonard from The Story of Stuff is a must see and is perfect timing for the Occupy Movement: http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-broke/

International Walk to School Day a Success!

The Dolbeare Elementary School had a phenomenal turnout to celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 5. Approximately 293 students—77% of eligible walkers—joined the fun, along with special guest walkers Superintendent Joan Landers and School Committee Member Anne Danehy, MassRIDES representative Samantha Fonseca-Moreira, parents, babies, pet dogs and top supporter Nibbles the Guinea Pig.

Walkers held up colorfully decorated “Happy International Walk to School Day!” and “It’s Cool to Walk to School!” signs. Once at the school, students were given a big cheer and a wave of pom-poms by Principal Beth Yando and teachers Anne Corbett, Alyce Jordan, Kristin Collins and Paula Curley. Next, participants signed a poster with the help of teachers Andrea Cosentino, Suzie Harte and Leslie Roberto, and teacher Jennifer Gallant handed out blue “Safe Routes to School” shoe lace tags as a prize. The Golden Sneaker Award goes to Mrs. Livesey’s first grade class for having the most walkers, 22 total. Coming in second was Mrs. Cosentino’s third grade class with 20 walkers, and Mrs. Uva’s third grade class took third place with 19 total walkers.

Ahead of the event, PE teacher Maria Caruso encouraged students to participate and gave out “Stop. Look. Listen” bookmarks with safe walking tips. Art teacher Frank Marino assisted with promotion by giving the students pictures of sneakers to colorfully decorate and hang in the school entrance.

This event helped families experience the many benefits of walking to school, including the simple joy of walking, energizing the day, focusing better in school, socializing with friends and neighbors, saving money on gas, avoiding traffic jams and helping the environment. Visit www.iwalktoschool.org, www.walktoschool.org, www.saferoutesinfo.org, www.commute.com/schools and www.wakefieldcap.org for more information.

International Walk to School Day 2011

Celebrate International Walk to School Day Oct. 5

Wakefield elementary schools will be joining schools around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5. The Dolbeare, Greenwood, Walton and Woodville elementary schools—all partners with MassRIDES—will put their individual touches on the event, plus give out prizes to participating students.

International Walk to School Day is based on a simple idea—children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an 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. Schools focus on health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment.

MassRIDES states in their website (www.commute.com/schools): “In 1969, roughly 48% of students bicycled or walked to school. Today only 13% of children do so. And, travel to school can account for up to 25% of all morning traffic. That's why we work with schools like yours, to teach and inspire children to start walking and bicycling more often—to and from school, improving their physical health, safety, and community.

“The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program promotes healthy alternatives for children and parents in their travel to and from school. It educates students, parents and community members on the value of walking and bicycling for travel to and from school.”

The opportunity to receive free incentive prizes, guidance and numerous resources was made possible by partnering with MassRIDES to run a Safe Routes to School Program. The Dolbeare Elementary School partnered with MassRIDES, along with Wakefield Climate Action Project and Wakefield’s School Health Leadership Team to pilot a Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus program in fall 2008. The program proved quite successful—in 2009 it garnered media attention at the local and national levels, including the Boston Globe, Fox 25 News, and Good Morning America. In 2009 and 2010 the Greenwood, Woodville and Walton elementary schools joined the effort and partnered with MassRIDES to roll out programs at their schools.

Please join the International Walk to School Day celebration on October 5 by safely walking or biking to school that day. You may find you enjoy it so much you will want to walk and bike all year long.

For additional information, visit www.walktoschool.org; www.iwalktoschool.org; www.saferoutesinfo.org; and www.wakefieldcap.org .

2011/2012 Dolbeare Walking School Bus Flyer

WHAT IS A “WALKING” SCHOOL BUS?

A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults, following a fixed route and stopping to pick up students at set times along the way. It is like a carpool—without the car.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A WALKING SCHOOL BUS?

• Avoid traffic jams, save gas and help the environment

• Increase safety at the school (less cars)

• Safe and fun way to get exercise

• Help kids focus better in school

• Talk and connect with your child(ren) and neighbors

• Great way to get you going in the morning!

DOES DOLBEARE CURRENTLY HAVE A WALKING SCHOOL BUS?

Yes, we do! The Wakefield Climate Action Project and School Health Leadership Team have partnered with MassRIDES for this effort. Ideally three parents lead the group, with one being an alternate in case one of the lead parents cannot make it. Currently there is one bus called the “Lowell St. Bus.”

Lowell Street Bus:

Streets currently included are Wharton Park, Thorndike Street, Heritage Lane and Lowell St. Contact Sherri Carlson, 781-246-2106; sjcarlson21@verizon.net or Linda Powers, 781-224-0403 if you would like to join the bus. Following are the Lowell Street bus stops and route:

8:12 a.m. – Start at 21 Wharton Park

8:20 a.m. – Thorndike and Lowell Street

8:25 a.m. – 2 Heritage Lane and Lowell Street

8:30 a.m. - End at Dolbeare School

Parents can walk or drive their children to one of the stops along the way and join the walk or hand off their child(ren) to the leaders. Leaders are CORI checked and parents must agree to Ground Rules and fill out permission slips (visit www.wakefield.k12.ma.us and click on Dolbeare’s “Walking School Bus” link). More stops can be added as people join.

MORE LEADERS NEEDED!

If you enjoy morning walks, good company and avoiding traffic jams, and are willing to lead a bus in your neighborhood, please contact Sherri Carlson at sjcarlson21@verizon.net or (781) 246-2106.

LINKS: www.walkingschoolbus.org; www.iwalktoschool.org; www.walktoschool.org; www.saferoutesinfo.org; www.commute.com/schools; www.wakefieldcap.org