My Backyard

[FOXBORO, MA] –Elementary Schools in Foxboro and Mansfield joined schools from around the state to get a little healthier and to celebrate Massachusetts Walk to School Day on May 5^th.  The Walk to School also cumulated the end of a 3 week Walk Challenge, organized in a partnership with the Invensys Foxboro YMCA. 

 Approximately 575 students from the Taylor, Igo and Burrell elementary schools participated in the day’s walking events, which included the opportunity for students arriving on buses to walk a route around the school building.  At the Jordan/Jackson Elementary School in Mansfield, approximately 200 students participated and walked to school on May 5^th.  YMCA staff members, school faculty, and parents were stationed at meeting locations for all schools to lead groups. 

 The Hockomock Area YMCA, Foxboro and Mansfield Public Schools, and Safe Routes to School have partnered to create safer routes for walking and education for elementary school students.  “This is a fun way to emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children and parents, the need for safe places to walk and bike, traffic congestion, and building connections between families, schools and the community.  As a community, we hope to create a sustainable walking program in the near future” said Caitlin Hurley, youth and family wellness director at the Invensys Foxboro YMCA. 

 As part of the Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Kids Week, parents and students also participated in a Walk to School Day on April 14^th.  Students received a ticket to keep track of how many times they could walk in the 3 weeks.