October 15, 2009 was Walk-to-School Day. Mariposa Elementary students in Mariposa, CA, celebrated their 4th Annual Walk-to-School Day event coordinated by one of my co-workers at Dairy Council—Alyssa McClelland, Territory Manager for Fresno County. Since several elementary school teachers in the North Bay area asked me for ideas regarding Walk-to-School Day, I interviewed Alyssa in order to share her experience in planning and running a fun, healthy and successful Walk-to-School Day event.    

NM: What are some of the basic components needed to run a successful Walk-to-School Day event? How did you do it?

AM: Building both community and school support is very important to ensure a successful event. For the Mariposa event, we met at a local grocery store's parking lot and the children walked together from the parking lot to school. The grocery store generously supplied the walkers apples and water bottles. For our event, we also enlisted the help of the the California Highway Patrol in Mariposa County to provide an escort while the students “walk to school.” In Mariposa there are no sidewalks or paths for the students to follow on their way to school, so this provided a safe way for students to get to school. 

NM: Is there a nutrition-education component to the event that day or celebrated that week? 

AM: Yes! In fact, all the teachers at Mariposa Elementary use Dairy Council of California's nutrition-education curriculum and love it. The school offered an extended breakfast that morning and I also decided to give a smoothie party as an incentive for the top two classes that participated in the Walk-to-School Day event. The students really enjoyed that!

NM: What is the feedback you have heard from teachers and parents about the event?

AM: They loved it! They thought it was a great way to build awareness about overall health. This year our County Hospital was at the event, providing information to all those participating.  

NM: Last question—what is your favorite nutrition lesson from our curriculum?

AM: My favorite lesson is “Lunch at the Mall," from our middle school program, Exercise Your Options.

NM: Thank you, Alyssa. What you have done for the students at Mariposa Elementary is wonderful and something they will always remember, I’m sure. 

For more information on how your regional Dairy Council Territory Manager can help support wellness at your school, please contact us by phone, 877.324.7901, email or comment on this blog. Happy walking!

Nicolina Mulcahy

Territory Manager