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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.a. A proclamation declaring October as "International Walk to School Month" and October 8th as "International Walk to School Day" in RosemountAGENDA ITEM: A proclamation declaring October as "International Walk to School Month" and October 8th as "International Walk to School Day" in Rosemount AGENDA SECTION: /n `�C/v t"l rk(1 n r 00c PREPARED BY: Jason Lindahl, AICP Planner AGENDA NO. ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Proclamation, Event Fliers APPROVED BY: Oti RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Proclamation 4 ROSEMOUNT City Council Meeting Date: CITY COUNCIL October 6, 2009 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUMMARY Attached for the City Council's review and approval is a proclamation declaring October as "International Walk to School Month" and October 8t as "International Walk to School Day" in Rosemount. Rosemount and Shannon Park Elementary schools will be joining schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on Thursday, October 8, 2009. Students from both schools are encouraged (but not required) to walk or bike directly to the school from their homes or join a walking school bus with teachers, parents, and a Rosemount police officer from one of two locations in the City. Regular bus service will operate for those students choosing not to participate. Principal Michael Guthrie will lead a walk from Connemara Park to Shannon Park Elementary while Principal Tom Idstrom will lead a walk from the Rosemount Family Resource Center to Rosemount Elementary. Each walk starts from its designated location at 8:30 a.m. Both sites will have giveaways for kids and morning refreshments from Cub Foods and Starbucks Coffee. These events were organized through cooperative efforts by the staff's of both elementary school and the City and made possible by a grant from the Dakota County Active Living Partnership. This event is part of implementing the Active Living section of the City's 2030 Comprehensive Plan. This plan examines the connections between elements of the built environment (land use, transportation, parks and recreation) and their impact on public health. Its goal is to promote walking and bicycling as fun and efficient ways to get around the community and stay healthy. BACKGROUND Walk to School Day was established in the United States in 1997 by the Partnership fora Walkable America. Canada and Great Britain already had walk to school programs in place. In 2000, these three countries joined together to create International Walk to School Day. Today, more than 5,000 schools in the USA participate in International Walk to School Day. Nearly 4 million people participate in approximately 40 countries as part of Intemational Walk to School. Walk to School Day began as a simple idea children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. The focus is on health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment. 2 4 ROSEMOUNT MINNESOTA PROCLAMATION Whereas, the lack of physical activity plays a leading role in rising rates of obesity, diabetes and other health problems among children; and Whereas, being able to walk or bicycle to school offers an opportunity to build activity into the daily routine of children and reduces the health impacts of these problems; and Whereas, driving students to school by private vehicle contributes to traffic congestion and air pollution; and Whereas, an important role for parents and caregivers is to teach children about pedestrian safety and become aware of the difficulties and dangers that children face on their trip to school each day and the health and environmental risks related to physical inactivity and air pollution. Whereas, the City of Rosemount incorporated goals and policies related to the health and environmental risks related to physical inactivity, poor nutrition and air pollution into the Active Living chapter of the City's 2030 Comprehensive Plan; and Whereas, these goals state that the City will support programming that promotes active living, fosters collaboration and information sharing and encourages healthy school sites, facilities and policies; and Whereas, children, parents and community leaders around the world are joining together to walk to school and evaluate walking and bicycling conditions in their communities. Now Therefore, Be It Resolved that I, Mayor William Droste proclaim the month of October as "International Walk to School Month" and October 8 as "International Walk to School Day" in Rosemount Minnesota and encourage everyone to consider the safety and health of children this month and throughout the year. Mayor William Droste %walk International Uvt Walk to SchoolVSA Rosemount Elementary School students are participating in "Walk to School Day" activities on Thursday, October 8, 2009 Join children and adults around the world to celebrate the benefits of walking. About our event: Students are encouraged (but not required) to walk or bike to school on Thursday, October 8. Each student that walks or bikes to school will get a super cool wristband and delicious morning refreshments (we'll even have coffee for the parents)! You can walk directly to the school from your home, OR join the walking school bus with your teachers, parents, and a Rosemount Police Officer (see details below)! Please note: This is an optional event. Buses will run as usual that day. A walking school bus will meet at the Rosemount Family Resource Center at 8:30 a.m. Join us for refreshments and a fun, healthy morning walk with friends, teachers, and parents. The Family Resource Center is located at the corner of 145t Street West and Cimarron Avenue (see map on reverse). Thanks to our local sponsors for supporting this event! Rosemount Elementary PTO Starbucks Coffee Cub Foods City of Rosemount Dakota County Find out more about Walk to School events in the USA at www.walktoschool.org r i` L:111-:, 49,4 3AVI37VON3ddIHO