Imagine district administration, food services, community partners, principals, students and families coming together at 7:00 in the morning…with smiles on their faces. Natomas Unified Health & Wellness Committee accomplished this on four separate days, at four elementary schools for
Walk to School month. Their mission: to highlight the schools’ walking programs and the many benefits of walking, such as increased physical activity and less morning traffic congestion. Natomas went beyond walking and used the opportunity to promote school breakfast, to ensure students start their day with fuel to succeed.
All students and their families at
Jefferson,
H. Allen Hight,
Heron and
Bannon Creek Elementary Schools were invited to walk to school and enjoy a complimentary school breakfast, donated by Chartwells, the district's food service management company. Even if families live too far to walk, many drove to a designated area and joined to walk the rest of the way. The “Walk to Breakfast” events drew hundreds of students and their families. The event brought awareness to school breakfast, as more students ate breakfast at these events than average, a trend they hope continues.
Always in October,
International Walk to School month hopes to bring awareness of the need for walkable communities. Whether it is the desire for safer walkways, attention to health, or cleaner air and less traffic congestion, many schools embrace the “Walk to School” concept weekly, and not just in October. Like Natomas, some schools encourage “walking Wednesdays” or have a “walking school bus”, where adults safely lead groups of students from a designated meeting place to the school campus. This is especially important in districts, like Natomas, who have lost funding for school buses or schools whose walking paths are nonexistent and plagued with dangerous obstacles. It can also be a great starting off point to host a healthy family event!
Contact your school district for more information on safe routes to your school. For nutrition education resources about the importance of eating breakfast, access the following free Dairy Council of California resources:
An out-of-breath, four-foot tall, rosy-cheeked, elementary girl came up to me with a beaming smile and said, “This is my first time walking to school. I am going to do it every Friday!” I count that a success!
Tracy Witmer, R.D.
Territory Manager
Tracy Witmer, Registered Dietitian
About me:
Tracy Witmer is a registered dietitian and Territory Manager for Dairy Council of California. Within the districts and schools of her 10-county territory, she engages teachers to use nutrition education in the classroom and is touched by the testimonies she hears from teachers, parents and students about its impact.
Tracy volunteers her time to serve as the 2011-2012 President of the Northern Area Dietetic Association. She received her B.S. in Nutrition Science with a Minor in Spanish at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and completed her dietetic internship at CSU Fresno.
As a dietitian, Tracy enjoys dispelling misconceptions about healthy eating and encourages a positive, individual, holistic approach to nutrition. She’s convinced everyone can find ways to eat well and be active, no matter if your day is spent in a school, office, home, car, field or factory. Though she keeps it simple in the kitchen, Tracy’s adventurous spirit is evident in her eating habits. She believes no one should pass an opportunity to try new food when presented with it… at least just a bite.
Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn