Wednesday was "Walk and Roll" day both in Yorkton and in Saskatchewan for the second year in a row. And it all started as a result of the efforts of students and staff at our very own high school.
"We encourage people across the province to walk, run, bike, rollerblade and skateboard to school and work on 'Walk and Roll' day," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty comments. "It is important that our children and youth engage in activities that contribute to healthy, active lifestyles. The staff and students of Yorkton Regional High School, by requesting this proclamation, are certainly helping our province move forward in this regard."
Yorkton Regional High School developed the day seven years ago to promote physical activity in their community.
A discussion between Physical Education teacher and Student Representative Council Co-ordinator Roby Sharpe and his colleagues sparked the start of "Walk and Roll" day. The teachers agreed that students would benefit from walking or riding their bikes to school, instead of always driving their motor vehicles.
"This event has a high participation rate in our Good Spirit School Division," Sharpe says. "I know Calder School has had a 100 per cent participation rate the last couple of years. I'm happy to have this event declared province-wide. I'd like to have it declared nationally eventually. One day, it'll be national 'Walk and Roll' day - mark my words."
Yorkton Regional High School President Brandey Blahut requested the formal proclamation this year.
"'Walk and Roll' day is a good way to get everyone participating in physical activity," Blahut said. "If you're being active as a group, it's so much more fun than doing it by yourself and it's important to get as many people involved as possible. That's why I requested the provincial proclamation."
"We are so pleased that our government has chosen to proclaim 'Walk and Roll' day again this year," Yorkton Regional High School Principal Mike Haczkewicz adds. "We are proud that this initiative has spread to schools throughout the province. Encouraging physical activity is so important. Healthy, active kids are more likely to be engaged and focused in the classroom. In addition to helping create eager learners, active transportation helps preserve our environment.
