Elementary school participates in walk for student exercise

Avon Lake Erieview Elementary School, 32630 Electric Blvd., took part Oct. 3 in students walking to create a good habit of exercising.

The event, Walk on Wednesdays, is a 15-minute walk of Avon Lake’s elementary schools that feature students, led by teachers and staff, taking part in a short walk.

“This is something we’ve been doing for the past four years or so now,” said Dave Schindler, principal of Erieview Elementary.

“This has been done in an effort to improve the health of the students and get them to exercising on a daily basis.

“It’s about putting an emphasis on physical activity and making sure they are building those good habits,” he added.

Schindler said the walk utilized a nearby trail.

“There is a walking trail behind the Avon Lake Public Library (32649 Electric Blvd.),” he said. “We will cross the street, at the crosswalk, walk the trail and come back. It ends up being the perfect length for the program.”

Schindler said the results of the walk have been realized in real time.

“There is an immediate impact that teachers notice,” he said. “The kids are more attentive and ready to do their work.

“Teachers ask the kids how they feel, and the response is very positive after the walks. Teachers initially had their doubts, but teachers across the district have noticed the benefits.”

The program will continue each Wednesday in October, Schindler said.

“We will have a theme with each walk going forward,” he said. “The second to last walk on Oct. 24, will allow them to walk with their friends.

“This basically allows students to walk with family. We will also have safety personnel as well. It usually nets a group of 800 people walking; it’s pretty awesome.”

The event will culminate with a Halloween theme, Schindler said.

“We were very fortunate Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year,” he said. “We will do a miniparade of sorts.

“Kids, in their costumes, will walk around our campus. Parents will come just to get a picture of their kid in a costume. It’s really great.”