Thank you everyone for your efforts to make Minnesota’s 2020 Winter Walk (and Bike) to School Day a success! We had over 50 schools registered from around the state, and many of you submitted photos and stories for the Minnesota Safe Routes to School Golden Snow Boot Contest.
Your submissions have been reviewed and we’ve selected a winner. Take a look at the winning photo and some of our other favorites below.
"Oak Ridge’s second Winter Walk Day was beautiful! Our whole school (all 550+ students and their teachers) went out for a walk in the woods and prairie adjacent to our school. It was great to get out and enjoy the sunshine and temps in the 20s. We heard our boots
crunching in the snow mixed with students’ happy chatter. Occasionally, classes decided to get quiet and listen to the birds chirping all around us. Everyone enjoyed the fresh air, exercise, and a break from the hard work we do in the classroom!"
"More than 50 students and parents at Great River School in Saint Paul participated in national Winter Walk To School Day on Wednesday, February 5th. Great River School faces challenges from being bounded by high-traffic county roads to the north and south. But our school community is determined to increase the numbers of kids walking and biking to school, and cold temperatures did not deter us at all! To help address safety concerns, parent volunteers assisted students coming from the south of school with crossing Pierce Butler Road, including making sure to activate the flashing beacon at the crosswalk. Students who come to school from the northeast face not only high traffic, but many intersections and driveways into residences, businesses, and schools. To ensure the safety of these students and also raise awareness of pedestrians in this busy area, parent volunteers led a walking school bus, safely helping the group cross 6 driveways and intersections along Energy Park Drive. About 35 students and parents were part of the walking school bus (and of those, the breakdown was about 30 kids, 5 parents). We were thrilled with participation and are hoping more families will be inspired to continue walking as part of our Walking Wednesdays program!"
Clockwise, from left, Jefferson Elementary, Rice County; Gage Elementary, Rochester; Ada-Borup Elementary
Congratulations to everyone on successful Winter Walk (and Bike) to School Day events, and a great photo contest!