Run/Walk Across America Guidelines

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This is not a "competition". This is an "educational journey" toward a greater understanding of health, fitness, nutrition, personal development, as well as an opportunity to learn more about this home we call the United States of America. It is important for all to understand that this Run/Walk Across America curriculum is designed solely to motivate and educate students. We, as organizers, will hold steadfast to our original position in developing this project - and that is to uniquely enhance the educational experience for all involved. The elementary years are one of discovery and this is a fun part of that process. While we agree that some competition in such curriculums is healthy (and it is one element that we use for motivating the participants), our 'main' emphasis is on individual development.

There will be time each week during P.E. class for the students to run/walk and acquire distance to add to their total trek mileage. This time may vary depending upon other scheduled activities; therefore, students will be limited in the running/walking allowed.
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All of the students in the 4th grade class are a team, and all of the students in the 5th grade are a team. The two grades will remain separate throughout the year and cannot combine mileage in crossing the United States. Although some competition can be healthy and motivating, it is not our focus to create a competitive environment for this curriculum. Each child has different abilities and skills, and if we focus on competition between the two classes we stand the risk of losing out on opportunities to effectively educate toward lifelong fitness habits and goals.
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We encourage calisthenics and then stretching before walking or running. Calisthenics for 5 to 10 minutes should be done with proper form and non-exertion in order to slightly elevate heart rate and warm muscles. Stretching with gentle and easy movements increases flexibility and blood circulation. The students should begin with an easy stretch where they hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds. After that they can move onto stretches where they hold each position for 10 to 30 seconds longer than easy stretches. No bouncing or straining, and do not hold your breath while stretching.
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Forward movement with consistent effort is required. The students may walk or run and must be constantly moving forward and doing the best that they can to add distance during the trek for their personal benefit as well as the benefit of the team.
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If any student knowingly reports a false distance and/or does not honestly stay on the course, that student's distance for that day will not be added.
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We are sensitive to health matters such as asthma, illness, aching muscles and more and will not overexert any child that is running and/or walking for this trek.
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Distances run/walked by other family members during the school year will not count.
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To successfully complete the 3,200-mile virtual trek across America within 39 weeks, each class will need to average 82 miles weekly. So, the 5th graders will need to run/walk a cumulative total distance of 82 miles per week and the 4th graders will need to do the same. However, the allowable running and walking time in P.E. class is limited to about 20 to 30 minutes each week.
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Either the 4th grade class, the 5th grade class, or both must successfully complete the virtual Run/Walk Across America by June 9, 2006 in order for Mr. Staso to actually begin his U.S. trek on June 23, 2006.
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The students will have an opportunity to run/walk during one recess per week and the P.E. teacher will monitor the distance run/walked by those participating. Any distance covered by a 4th or 5th grade student will add to their class mileage for the trek across America. The students will be told each week by their P.E. teacher when the recess opportunity will be.
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A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to each class (as well as each participating child) upon the completion of each state. An example is shown to the right. Also, a class party will be held to celebrate the completion of each state - each party having a different theme depending on the state conquered.
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Throughout the school year the students will be encouraged to participate in running and/or walking events organized by community Parks and Recreation departments, charitable organizations, and more. Examples of these types of events are The Heart Walk; The Riverbank Run; and, The Buddy Walk. Any distance run/walked in such events by the students will be added to the trek across America. Also, parents must sign a run/walk event slip stating how far their son or daughter ran/walked in the event and it must be returned to the P.E. teacher.
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The students' classroom teachers may take them out to run/walk during the school year. The teachers must keep an accurate record of distance covered and report it to Mrs. Staso for adding to the trek distance.
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The students will be able to run/walk outside of school hours and acquire distance to add to the trek across America, but only with parental permission. As a safety precaution we urge all students to inform their parent or guardian about where they will be walking/running and for how long he or she expects to be gone. Ideally, we would like for a family member to accompany any 4th and 5th grade students running/walking outside of school. The opportunities to run/walk outside of school hours for distance to add to the trek across America will be limited. Also, parents must sign a weekly mileage slip stating how far their son or daughter ran/walked and it must be given to the P.E. teacher.
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Note: If the student does running/walking outside of school hours during allowable opportunities and also participates in a fun run or charitable walk/run event on any given week, then it will be up to the P.E. teacher's discretion as to how much mileage to allow toward the trek across America.
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Because we live in a location that experiences snow 3 to 4 months out of the year, as well as temperatures that can drop to zero degrees, we strongly encourage students to avoid outside running on icy streets and sidewalks or when temperatures drop dangerously low. If students are walking in such weather we suggest being "weather wise" by wearing appropriate clothing and footwear. Please read our "Quick Note About Wind Chill" below.
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Any student walking and/or running on the edge of streets are encouraged to face traffic for safety, and if it is dark we suggest light/reflective clothing. If possible, sidewalks should be used. Also, we want all students to adhere to pedestrian laws, including the use of crosswalks, and to be courteous to others who are in cars, on bicycles, or who are walking/running. We also urge students to carry identification information on them when out walking/running and to be educated on street safety. Be "street smart" and be safe!

HAVE FUN!

. The Wind Chill is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the speed of the wind increases, it can carry heat away from your body much more quickly, causing skin temperature to drop. The Wind Chill chart below shows the difference between actual air temperature and perceived temperature, and amount of time until frostbite occurs.   Temperature (°F) -45 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 60 -98 -91 -84 -76 -69 -62 -55 -48 -40 -33 -26 -19 -11 -4 3 10 17 25 55 -97 -89 -82 -75 -68 -61 -54 -46 -39 -32 -25 -18 -11 -3 4 11 18 25 50 -95 -88 -81 -74 -67 -60 -52 -45 -38 -31 -24 -17 -10 -3 4 12 19 26 45 -93 -86 -79 -72 -65 -58 -51 -44 -37 -30 -23 -16 -9 -2 5 12 19 26 40 -91 -84 -78 -71 -64 -57 -50 -43 -36 -29 -22 -15 -8 -1 6 13 20 27 35 -89 -82 -76 -69 -62 -55 -48 -41 -34 -27 -21 -14 -7 0 7 14 21 28 30 -87 -80 -73 -67 -60 -53 -46 -39 -33 -26 -19 -12 -5 1 8 15 22 28 25 -84 -78 -71 -64 -58 -51 -44 -37 -31 -24 -17 -11 -4 3 9 16 23 29 20 -81 -74 -69 -61 -55 -48 -42 -35 -29 -22 -15 -9 -2 4 11 17 24 30 15 -77 -71 -64 -58 -51 -45 -39 -32 -26 -19 -13 -7 0 6 13 19 25 32 10 -72 -66 -59 -53 -47 -41 -35 -28 -22 -16 -10 -4 3 9 15 21 27 34 5 -63 -57 -52 -46 -40 -34 -28 -22 -16 -11 -5 1 7 13 19 25 31 36 Frostbite Times: 5 Minutes 10 Minutes 30 Minutes What is Frostbite? Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing body tissue. The most susceptible parts of the body are the extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. Symptoms include a loss of feeling in the extremity and a white or pale appearance. Medical attention is needed immediately for frostbite. The area should be slowly re-warmed. What is Hypothermia? Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature (below 95°F). Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Medical attention is needed immediately. If it is not available, begin warming the body slowly. How should I dress during cold weather? Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat, because 40 percent of your body heat can be lost from your head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry and out of the wind. ** Information Provided By The National Weather Service **