Green Ribbon Month
Green Ribbon Month was established in 1998 by the Davis County Safe Kids Coalition. Although the program started in one county, it was so successful that it quickly spread throughout the state. The goal of Green Ribbon Month is to prevent children from being hit by motor vehicles in school zones and cross walks.

The program involves the entire community. Drivers pledge to drive slowly in school zones and residential areas. Students pledge to walk on sidewalks, look before crossing streets, and to cross at cross walks. Participating in Green Ribbon Month will fulfill Criteria Menu #9 and/or Silver #1 if you use your schools PTA in planning.

UDOT’s Student Neighborhood Access Program “Walk More in Four”
On August 26, 2009 the UDOT’s Student Neighborhood Access Program will launch a statewide initative “Walk More in Four”. This initiative is to encourage elementary age children in Utah to safely walk and bike to school the four weeks in September leading up to National Walk to School Day, October 7.

All Utah elementary students are invited to walk or bike to school at least three days a week. Students can keep track of the days they walk with the Walk More in Four chart. All students who participate can turn in their chart to UDOT and will be eligible to win prizes such as helmets, backpacks, scooters, and more. We encourage you to have your SNAP map and route distributed to students at the beginning of the year to ensure that they are following the correct route during this program.

For more information look at this letter and share it with your school’s Principal.

Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® Month
September is Fruits & Veggies--More Matters® Month. This is a good time to feature fruits and veggies in newsletters, bulletin boards, health lessons, and your school cafeteria. The average child needs between 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Produce for Better Health (PBH) have developed materials this year on stretching your fruit and vegetable budget. Additionally, PBH has partnered with American Greetings to feature the Strawberry Shortcake character to promote fruit intake. To access these materials visit the CDC Fruits & Veggies—More Matters and PBH Web sites.

Kick-off Assembly Ideas
As your school prepares to begin the school year it is time to start thinking about what you want to do for your Kick-off Assembly. The Kick-off Assembly should be held within the first few months of the year and should introduce students to the Gold Medal Schools™ (GMS) program. The Kick-off Assembly is a perfect way to get students, teachers, faculty, and staff excited about the program. Here are some ideas of things you can do during your kick-off assembly:

• Introduce your Gold Medal Mile™ (GMM) goal and walk the GMM with your students
• Have fun physical activity and nutrition activities for students to participate in
• Ask upper grade students to perform a skit about being healthy
• Invite a team mascot or athletes to talk to students
• Ask your local High School or college athletic program to do a presentation

For more information on kick-off assemblies look on page 373 of the GMS Guide.

Gold Medal Mile™ Ideas
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Utah State Office of Education recommend that children receive 150 minutes of physical activity during the school week. Studies have shown that lifestyles that are learned as children are more likely to stay with them as they grow into adulthood. Walking is a great activity that students can participate in and enjoy as they grow up.

Your school should have a Gold Medal Mile™ (GMM) on or around your school grounds and should be picking a goal for student participation. You should also have a way to track the miles your school has walked. Here are some ideas:

• Walk to Hawaii. Hawaii became part of the USA in August of 1959. Celebrate Hawaii’s 50th birthday and walk there. Maybe have a luau to celebrate.
• Walk to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic games
• Have a contest between students, teachers, faculty, and staff to see who can walk the most miles
• Create a competition between you and another Gold Medal School™ in your area

For more ideas and resources for tracking the GMM go to page 41 of the GMS Guide.