Silver Spring Intermediate students and staff are invited to step outside and get moving as part of ‘May is Walking Month,’ a new initiative led by a group of sixth grade students serving as Health Advocates. Guided lunchtime walks through the wooded area behind the school were offered May 4-7 to promote the importance of physical activity and offer a fun and engaging way to stay active and connect with nature.
Silver Spring Intermediate School sixth grade student Tanishi Butola says that spending time outdoors has a positive impact on her entire school day. “Walking is also really good to help clear your mind,” Butola shares. “For example if you have a test right after your lunch break, walking can help your nerves calm down. Walking during your recess time can also help get in some exercise for your daily thirty minutes to one hour exercise that helps your body in so many ways!”
“We are constantly looking for ways to encourage students to move and leverage our beautiful campus and this fits perfectly with that mission,” shares Silver Spring Intermediate School Principal Deanna Wellens.
“Spending time outdoors definitely impacts the rest of my day because it is very rejuvenating and I am getting some fresh air to keep me going and to finish the day out strong,” shares Silver Spring Intermediate School sixth grade student Adeline Poelzer. “One of my favorite memories from the walk in the woods is when I made some new friends with some students that I don’t normally hang out with,” adds Poelzer.
“I think that spending time outdoors helps me get my energy out and talk with my friends,” says Silver Spring Intermediate School sixth grade student Mia Carlo. “On the walk we took, I really enjoyed the new scenery! This was an exciting experience and it was a highlight of my day. I would definitely do it again,” exclaims Carlo. “My favorite memory from our outdoor walk was watching our art teacher Ms. Skaros hang from a tree while we were taking a picture,” she adds.
The Health Advocates is a student-led group, offered as an enrichment opportunity. Participants select the causes and initiatives they would like to support. In April, the group surveyed fellow students about their favorite fruits and vegetables. Survey results were shared with the district Nutritional Services Team for consideration in future menu planning. Nutritional Services team members also helped the students organize a tangelo taste-test opportunity during the lunch period for the unusual citrus fruit.
“The students choose the causes and initiatives they would like to support,” explains Silver Spring Intermediate Teacher Rebecca Abler, who meets with the Health Advocates weekly. “In addition to organizing supervised walks, the students also created informational posters highlighting the benefits of walking and displayed them through the school,” adds Abler.
The Health Advocates hope that celebrating National Walking Month at school will inspire everyone to get moving, enjoy the outdoors and make wellness a priority this spring.