Getting Fit And Learning Geography

By Laurie Borst

Last October, four of Newtown’s schools kicked off walking programs for students and willing parents. Some schools walk one morning per week, others three times per week. The programs combine fitness, geography, and math skills. Students use pedometers to count their steps and then convert those steps to miles.

Sandy Hook School students are following the trail of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They have walked 1,385 miles and are currently in North Dakota near the border with Montana. Gym teacher Jan Huot reports they have all been enjoying walking outside in the warm weather. They will continue to walk outside unless snow forces them indoors. About 80 students, parents, and siblings are participating.

Middle Gate School, lead by gym teacher Laura Cooper, has walked 2,573 miles, which, if you started on Main Street, Newtown, and followed a southerly route, would take you to Tucson, Ariz. If you prefer a northerly route, you’d be out around Boise, Idaho.

Ann Dalton, nurse at Head O’ Meadow School, reports that between 50 and 60 students are regularly walking there. So far, they have racked up 520 miles. From Newtown, that would put them just west of Akron, Ohio.

Reed Intermediate School started the year with 100 students signed up to walk. School nurse Pat Philipp says 50 to 60 students still walk each week. They have trod 2,300 miles, which would take them to Las Cruces, N.M.

The facilitators of the walking programs at all four schools encourage interested students to join. It is never too late to get moving, and walking is an excellent activity.