The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is honored to announce McKinley Elementary School as this year’s winner of the Golden Sneaker award. The school had the highest level of participation, at 89%, in the district during the Bike It! Walk It! (BIWI) campaign, held Oct. 4-8.
The School Board will recognize this achievement during the regular school board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 via Zoom. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and is early in the agenda.
In honor of National Walk and Bike to School Day (Oct.6), students, staff, volunteers, community members and parents were encouraged to use alternative modes of transportation, whether on foot, two wheels, three wheels or public transit.
The goal of the Santa Monica citywide challenge is to promote environmental sustainability by helping families establish healthy fitness habits, educating students about pedestrian and cycling rules, reducing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, while improving community bonds.
BIWI was founded in 2007 by the Samohi Solar Alliance group, a student club at Santa Monica High School. To help grow the initiative the District partnered with the City of Santa Monica Safe Routes to School program, which aims to reduce traffic congestion and increase safety near schools, improve air quality and educate students about the rules of walking and cycling so they can travel through the city safely.
Other participating schools included Franklin Elementary School, Will Rogers Learning Community, John Muir Elementary School and Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH), Grant Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School and John Adams Middle School.
“We congratulate McKinley families and staff for their amazing support of this campaign and thank Santa Monica students, parents and staff for supporting this important sustainability and safety initiative.” Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati said.
Written by Esmi Careaga, Communications Specialist
