Safe Routes to School Success Stories

Blythe Academy SRTS

Safe Routes to School from Eleanor Dunlap on Vimeo.

Record-Breaking Year for International Walk to School Day in 2012 for South Carolina

South Carolina's International Walk to School Day hit an all-time record for the number of registered events in the state. With 210 events registered, South Carolina ranked in the top 5 states in the nation with the highest number of schools participating. This exceeds the state's prior record - 177 activities recorded in 2008 - by 33 events! We had 74 more events than we did last year. That's a 54% increase! We even moved up one spot to place 5th in the nation. Last year South Carolina placed 6th.The Resource Center congratulates all of those schools that organized events and registered them to be counted.
For many schools, participation in International Walk to School Day is an annual tradition that students look forward to each year. Schools have figured out how to get students excited about waking up a bit earlier and walking to school. This year, event organizers even brought in celebrities, like the Carolina Panthers' mascot, Sir Purr, to talk to kids about why walking is fun, healthy, and good for the environment.
Schools have also gotten creative with their events, to increase student participation and get more kids active. By organizing park-and-walk sites, or walk at school events, even students who live too far from school to walk each day, can participate during IWALK.
October is Walk to School Month all month! For more information on getting an event started, visit http://www.scsaferoutes.org/ for resources and information, or call the South Carolina Safe Routes to School Resource Center, at 1-855-472-7787 to work with a school outreach coordinator in your area.

South Carolina Walk to School Day 2011

One Hundred and Thirty Four Schools in South Carolina registered and held Walk to School Day events.
More than 50,000 students, parents, educators, and neighbors in SC participated in International Walk to School Day events on October 5, 2011.
South Carolina ranked 6th in the US in participation in International Walk to School Day (#2 in the Southeast region behind Florida).
The Mayor of Fountain Inn issued a proclamation for Walk to School Day.
The Mayor of North Charleston participated in Walk to School Day at Chicora School of Communications.
Mellichamp Elementary School held a Walk to School Assembly that featured a WTSD song, WTSD rap, steppers, dancers and a WTSD poster and essay contest for each grade. The walk was capped off by having Orangeburg-Wilkerson High School marching band Drumline play for them throughout the entire school walk.

South Carolina Walk to School Day 2010

More than 125 South Carolina Schools registered and held Walk to School Day events.
More than 52,000 students, parents, educators, and neighbors in SC participated in International Walk to School Day events on October 6, 2010.
South Carolina ranked 6th in the US in participation in International Walk to School Day (#2 in the Southeast region behind Florida).
The Mayor of North Charleston issued a proclamation for Walk to School Day.
The Mayor of Fountain Inn actively participated in Walk to School Day at Fountain Inn Elementary School.
Rodney Oldham, SC Safe Routes to School Coordinator, was interviewed by Andrew Harmon, Host of CSRA Today of Clear Channel Communications (a Public Affairs Show) to promote and celebrate International Walk to School Day.