Go! Bismarck Mandan and local elementary schools will co-host Walk to School Day, Oct. 6, in Bismarck and Mandan schools. Go! Bismarck Mandan encourages all children and their families to walk or bike to school on Walk to School day and every day. Go! Bismarck Mandan is a combined community partnership developed to help citizens and families achieve measurably improved health, fitness and quality of life by creating a supportive community culture and environment through a coordinated approach. “This effort will assist Bismarck and Mandan residents to achieve better nutrition and fitness levels, ultimately creating healthier citizens,” said Mandan Mayor Tim Helbling.
Elementary schools in both Bismarck and Mandan will participate in the Go! Bismarck Mandan Walk to School Day Oct. 6. Bismarck elementary schools include Grimsrud, Pioneer, Roosevelt, and Solheim. In Mandan, Lewis and Clark Elementary will participate in the event. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., Commissioner Mike Seminary will walk to school with children at Pioneer Elementary School, and at 8:00 a.m. Commissioner Parrell Grossman will walk with school children at Roosevelt Elementary School. “All families and children are encouraged to take part in the Walk to School Day events,” said Mayor Warford. “Increased physical activity is a key component in building healthy habits in families and children,” said Warford. “Parents have the most influence on eating, activity and lifestyle habits for children.”
Go! Bismarck Mandan encourages walking all or part of the way to school. This encourages children to get fit, healthy and active and also helps them concentrate better in school. If you live too far away from the school, consider parking a few blocks away and walking the rest. Children are encouraged to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and what better way get a jumpstart on those 60 minutes than by walking to school? It’s fun, easy to do and free.
Go! to the website, www.gobismarckmandan.org, to find maps showing the safe routes to your school and information about the “walking school bus” concept. You will also find the Go! calendar and a list of ideas, special events and programs to help your family find healthy options in the community all year long.