Congratulations to Lincoln's Roper Elementary School

Lincoln's Roper Elementary School has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Walk4Life Movement Works Award for its exemplary school and community efforts to promote and implement physical activity programs for its students and their families . The award will be presented to Janet Brandt, chair of the Roper physical education department, on Wednesday, April 26, at the Walk4Life Social in Salt Lake City . The social will be held during the 121st Annual Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD), the largest gathering of physical education teachers in the country.

Walk4Life President Ruth Carver said, “In a time of increasing health risks and health care costs in our country, prevention is a key. That is why fun, creative physical activity programs for children and their families promoting lifelong physical activity must be a part of the solution. Roper's annual Pumpkin Stroll, an event of International Walk to School Day, is one such example. The purpose of the annual Movement Works Award is to honor those schools which have gone beyond the call of duty to promote and implement new physical activity programs and initiatives.”

Earlier this school year Roper Elementary School 's physical activity programs were featured in an article in Strategies, A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, published by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). The focus of the article was to show how the use of pedometers can be the “tipping point” for changing the culture of a school to make it more activity friendly. Roper utilizes the Walk4Life pedometer to bring together the principal, physical therapists, parents, physical educators, health educators/wellness specialists, school nurses, volunteers and taxpayers, corporate/business and students in a unique partnership that increases physical activity among students.

According to Roper Principal Dan Navratil, “One of the reasons for our success in promoting physical activity has been the establishment of our Physical Activity Action Council (PAAC). In addition to the principal, we bring together the physical education teacher, wellness specialist, school nurse, parents, students and community partners to talk about ways we can increase physical activity before, during and after school for our students. I would highly recommend for all schools to set up a similar council because that is often the beginning of our high energy ideas.”

To encourage families to become more physically active, Principal Navratil offers them the use of Walk4Life Family Pedometer Packs for check out. In addition ROPE, the Roper Organization for Parents and Educators, has also gotten involved in planning and conducting fun activities such as “Roper Razzle Dazzle Football.”

Walk4Life wants to recognize other schools that are increasing physical activity options for their students and families. Write to Walk4Life today and tell them what your school staff (principals, physical education teachers, classroom teachers, parents and students) is doing to create and promote new physical activity programs in your school. Email your physical activity success story to jvanbyssum@walk4life.com and your school will be nominated for the new “Caught Being Active” Award that will be given quarterly to deserving schools. For more information, visit the Walk4Life website at www.walk4life.com .

Walk4Life, Inc., headquartered in Plainfield , IL , is a woman-owned business committed to sponsoring movement-centered initiatives that empower students and adults to increase their daily physical activity. The privately-owned company develops high-quality, technologically innovative products, activity-based educational materials, and accessories. Walk4Life pedometers have been validated in numerous research studies for their accuracy and durability. Visit the website at www.walk4life.com for the latest on their cutting edge products and resource materials.

For more information, contact:
Jamie VanByssum (815) 439-2340
jvanbyssum@walk4life.com