Hi-5K Challenge

By:

• Schuylerville GRS Project Team issued a district-wide Hi-5k Challenge.  Between October 1 and December 1 2012, we encouraged our entire school community to enjoy a 5K in some capacity.  It could have been a sanctioned/organized running race or a simple 5K stroll around the neighborhood.  The possibilities were endless:  Bike it! Run it! Paddle it! Hike it! Swim it!  One key instruction: ENJOY it!
• The purpose of this activity was to motivate Schuylerville Elementary School children, their families and the greater community to experience the fun and health benefits related to exercise.

CORE CURRICULUM CONNECTION:

NYS Health and Physical Education and Family and Consumer Sciences Learning Standard 1- Personal Health and Fitness: Students will have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness,
participate in physical activity, and maintain personal health. 

PLANNING:

Issue the challenge to all members of the district's community including the start/end dates.

Publicize the challenge to students, their families and faculty/staff using e-mail, Faceboook, and 1/2 page flyer for backpack mail.

Establish a point-of-contact person to handle incoming results and post the handprints on wall.

EXECUTION:

Publish a listing of local opportunities like the Saratoga Rock & Run 5K.

Provide oppportunties for community members to participate in a GRS Team sponsored 5K.  For example, on a Friday night in November, the GRS Team hosted a Flashlight 5K.  We had over 35 participants, including all of the district administrators, come out and walk a 5K at Schuyler Park.  We partnered with a local park and lighted the pathways with luminaria.  We asked people to bring flashlights and their own hot cocoa.  It was a bitterly cold night, but the sense of accomplishment, community and constant movement kept us warm.

Work with exisiting sports groups at the school.  The track team ran the 5K together and reported their results as a team.

Post paper handprints on the wall once participants have completed a 5K.

RESULTS:

Over 400 people paricipated in the Hi-5K Challenge.  The majority of the participants walked or hiked the 5K.  We issued the challenge again in Spring 2013.  We are very pleased with the outcomes and the feedback has been wonderful.  We filled the front halls with a rainbow of handprints which exhibited our success and dedication to getting out there and getting fit .We are brainstorming ways to get more participation at the High School level.  (Please note: all of the Schuylerville GRS Project activities are also posted on the Schuylerville Green Ribbon School Project Facebook Page.)