Released on June 5, 2012
The Government of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport have proclaimed the first Wednesday in June "Walk and Roll" day in Saskatchewan.
The day was inspired by Yorkton Regional High School staff and students. They might be seen shouting "Walk and Roll!" down the hallways tomorrow, since they are excited the day they developed six years ago to promote physical activity in their school and community is spreading across the province. Students passionate about "Walk and Roll" day worked hard to raise awareness of the event and sought out the provincial proclamation.
Every year, on the first Wednesday of June, Yorkton Regional High School staff and students, walk, ride their bikes or rollerblade to school. And they are dedicated. One Yorkton high school teacher leaves his Melville home at 6 a.m. and bikes more than 50 kilometres to arrive at school by the first bell. The school's goal is to have its parking lot, capable of holding hundreds of vehicles, completely empty.
This initiative has already expanded to include schools across the Good Spirit School Division, which encompasses 6,000 students in 28 schools across 17 communities in east-central Saskatchewan. Some of the smaller schools have a 100 per cent participation rate.
"This is an excellent opportunity to promote physical activity and active transportation across the province," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said. "The Government of Saskatchewan encourages all Saskatchewan students and staff to walk or roll to school on this day. The Good Spirit School Division serves as a positive example that Saskatchewan is full of healthy, active people working together to move Saskatchewan forward."
"We are delighted to have the first Wednesday in June proclaimed "Walk and Roll" day in Saskatchewan," Yorkton Regional High School Principal Mike Haczkewicz said. "It reminds us that there are so many benefits to walking or riding our bikes as opposed to driving a motor vehicle. Not only do these activities keep us healthy and active, they help keep our environment healthy too. It's great to have the day set aside to remind us of what physical activity can achieve."
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For more information, contact:
Chelsea Coupal
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781
Email: chelsea.coupal@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8152