October is Walk to School Month: Organize your own 2012 Walk to School Day event - resources and help

October is Walk to School month in Missouri, and schools across the state hold Walk to School Day events.  

Last year, we had the most Missouri schools ever participate in Walk to School Day, with 59 schools participating from every part of the state.  Let's make 2012 even better!

Walk to School Day

• MoBikeFed's Walk/Bike to School Savings Calculator helps students and parents visualize the benefits of walking and biking to school.
   
• List of schools planning Walk to School events in Missouri--be sure to register your own event
   
• Walk to School Day materials and planning
  • Step by step detailed instructions for organizing your own local Walk to School Day, provided by PedNet, Columbia:
    • Walk to School Day planning checklist
    • Response form
    • Drawing entry form/participation form
    • Walk to School Day Flyer (generic flyer that can be modified for your event)
       
  • The National Walk to School Day web site has planning materials, sample press releases, sample posters, a media list for your area, and a complete how-to outline for organizing your Walk to School Day.
     
  • Safe Kids Springfield has created a resource list for Walk to School event planning.
     
  • BikeWalkKC has put together a nice page with Walk to School Day resources and packet with press materials and sample resolutions for Walk to School Day.
     
  • A list of activities, coloring sheets, resources, and curriculum ideas and yet more resources and handouts for integrating Walk to School events into the school curriculum, grades K-12.
     
• Information from webinars and presentations by experienced Walk to SChool Day organizers:
  • Walk to School Day planning webinar with legendary Walk to School Day organizer Kara Sergile--how to get started planning walk to school day in your own community or school on a shoestring budget
     
  • How to organize Walk to School Day - tips from Briarcliff School in Kansas City
     
• Have your mayor or city council officially declare your Walk to School Day--sample proclamations and resolutions

What's next? Here are some ideas for turning your Walk to School Day event into permanent change for your students and your neighborhood:

• Walk to School Day: What's next? How about walking, biking every day. How about making your neighborhood safer and more walkable. Here's how . . .