2017 Healthiest State Annual WalkSchool Toolkit

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa

Silver Sponsor

In partnership with

Thanks for organizing a Healthiest State Annual

Walk!

#GetYourWalkOn #WalkMoreConnectMore

The Healthiest State Annual Walk, presented by Delta Dental of Iowa, is a great step in promoting health and wellness at your school and also aligns with International Walk to School Day.

The Healthiest State Initiative is excited to partner with Live Healthy Iowa Kids and Hy-Vee KidsFit® for the annual walk in hopes of engaging as many schools as possible.

Thank you for coordinating a Healthiest State Annual Walk for your school. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to communicate the walk to administration, teachers, students, and parents. This kit includes communications templates for you to modify to fit your needs. The bolded statements can be adjusted to customize these communications for your school’s walk.

Included in this kit: Steps to organizing a successful walk Tips for a successful walk Letter to parents Article for your school’s newsletter about the Healthiest State Walk Day-before reminder email Tips for creating involvement Social media contests Sample social media posts

Resources such as PDFs for posters and other promotional/organizational materials are also provided within the resources page.

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

Steps to Organizing a Successful Walk1. Designate a walk coordinator. This can be a teacher, principal, staff member,

PTO/PTA member, classroom parent or community volunteer.2. Plan logistics for your 30-minute walk, including date and time of the walk

(Oct.2-Oct. 6) and choose a safe and easily accessible route for teachers, students and staff. A few things to consider would be road closures, railroad tracks, and walkability of path. There are a few questions you should answer, as well. Is this a community walk or school only? Are parents invited? Will it be a school wide walk or by classroom?

3. Register your walk at http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/annual-walk/

4. Start promoting the walk by creating excitement and inviting participants!

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

Tips for a Successful WalkAdapted from the National Center for Safe Routes to School

Tip 1: Start SmallYou can always build on your successes with more components next year. Or, if the school is enthusiastic and partners are ready to help, aim high and follow up with other promotional materials and planned activities.Tip 2: Plan Early (if you can)When time is on your side, start planning as early as you can. Tip 3: Get the Principal on BoardGet the principal’s approval before moving forward on tasks. Approach the principal with an outline of your ideas for the event as early as possible. While at minimum the principal’s approval is needed, he or she can also be what makes the event really shine.Tip 4: Recruit HelpThere’s no need to organize the walk alone. Don’t try to plan and carry out the event all by yourself. Recruit other adults and students to help. Tip 5: Include all StudentsInclude everyone at the school.  Explore ways to participate  and learn about how to provide access for all students.Tip 6: Provide Incentives (if you can)Give out incentive items or tokens if possible. Print stickers and certificates, or order prizes such as pencils, badges or reflective gear.Tip 7: Communicate with ParentsCommunicate with parents early and often about the event. Distribute flyers two weeks before the event, and send out reminders the week and day before the event. Include your contact information in the promotional materials in case parents have questions or concerns. Intercom announcements are another good way to get the word out and reinforce safety tips.Tip 8: Get the Word outGet the word out beyond the school. Promote the walk to the community, elected officials and students. Think strategically. For example, if speeding is a problem, you may want to involve local law enforcement.

Letter to ParentsMay be sent by principal, nurse, PE teacher, guidance counselor, etc.

Get excited, [SCHOOL NAME]!

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

For more than seven years, hundreds of thousands of Iowans have taken part in the Healthiest State Annual Walk, presented by Delta Dental of Iowa. We’ve taken great steps together to promote our state’s well-being, but there is much more work to be done.

On October 4, thousands of Iowans will again support Iowa’s efforts to become a healthier state with the goal of having at least one organized walk in all 99 counties. I’m pleased to announce that this statewide effort will include [SCHOOL]. The date of the walk also aligns with International Walk to School Day, which we are excited to support.

Last year, Iowans were encouraged to step it up and walk 30 minutes. This year, the Healthiest State wants Iowans to #GetYourWalkOn and not only just on October 4, but every day. The theme for this year ”Walk More, Connect More” also encourages Iowans to walk with friends and family.

Walking is one of the best ways to stay healthy. It’s also a great way to connect with friends and family. Walking together gives us on opportunity to catch up and refresh our minds, and the physical benefits add up, too! Take care of weekend errands with your family on foot, or invite your neighbor to start a casual walking group. Along the way you’ll build strong bonds and memories.

The Healthiest State Annual Walk, presented by Delta Dental, represents more than 30 minutes of walking; it shows our dedication to building healthy habits in our students and teaching them the importance of physical activity.

In addition, the Healthiest State is encouraging Iowans to participate in their social media contests on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HealthiestIowa) for individuals, communities, and schools. There are great prizes including an opportunity for our school to win $1,000!

Please remind your child to wear his or her best walking shoes on [DATE]. OPTIONAL: We encourage parents to join us for the walk starting at [TIME].

Visit www.iowahealthieststate.com to learn more about the Healthiest State Initiative, and stay tuned to [the school newsletter] for more information on the walk details. Together we can do something great for our school and for Iowans across the state.

[SIGNATURE][Title]

Article about the Healthiest State Annual Walk[SCHOOL] is participating in the Healthiest State Annual Walk!

On [DATE] the students and staff of [SCHOOL] will join thousands of Iowans to support the Healthiest State Initiative’s annual statewide walk! The Healthiest State Initiative’s goal is to bring communities together by having an organized Healthiest State Annual Walk in all of Iowa’s 99 counties for the third year in a row.

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

This year, the Healthiest State Annual Walk wants Iowans to “Walk More. Connect More.” by walking for 30 minutes with your friend or family. Walking is one of the best ways to stay healthy. It’s also a great way to connect with others. Just 30 minutes of physical activity each day improves physical, social, and emotional health. [SCHOOL] is excited to partake in the Healthiest State Annual Walk as it represents a commitment to our students’ well-being. We look forward to not only walking together on [DATE], but also educating students and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

We can’t wait to see you ”get your walk on” at [LOCATION, TIME]. The walk will be 30 minutes long and students are encouraged to wear their best walking shoes. OPTIONAL: We invite parents to join us for the walk and suggest that they arrive at [TIME].

Together, let’s continue stepping toward a better and healthier Iowa.

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

Day Before Walk – Reminder Email AnnouncementSubject: The Healthiest State Annual Walk is here!

Just a reminder that students will “get [their] walk on” tomorrow by partaking in the Healthiest State Annual Walk! Make sure they wear a good pair of walking shoes. [SCHOOL] will join thousands of Iowans participating in 30 minute walks across the state!

[The walk will begin at [TIME] and will end approximately 30 minutes later. We will walk around [LOCATION]. We encourage you to join us!

We can’t wait to “get our walk on” and build healthy lifestyles!

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

Create More InvolvementHelp your students and staff feel like they’re personally invested in building a healthier state! To create more involvement and competition in the Healthiest State Annual Walk at your school, we’ve assembled a few tips.Set a school-wide goalSet a goal of walking “X” number of minutes as a school and share it with your students and staff. You can even organize a small celebration when you make your goal or giveaway to the classroom with the most collective minutes. Mark it on your calendarsDon’t forget to send your staff a reminder on their work calendars so the time and date is marked off for this special event. Teachers should build the walk into their classrooms’ schedules. Print posters Visit the resource section of www.iowahealthieststate.com to print out free, customizable posters to display around your building or certificates for your students. Make it a school photo opGet more involvement by using the Healthiest State Annual Walk as the opportunity for a school picture. Have classes gather before or after the walk to have a photo taken, and be sure to prominently display the picture when the walk is over and share it via social media using the hashtags #GetYourWalkOn #WalkMoreConnectMoreProvide a post-walk snack or lunchMake it a school event that fosters relationships and a healthy environment by serving a healthy snack or lunch after the walk. Order Healthiest State Walk T-shirtsOrder Healthiest State Annual Walk T-shirts that are customizable with your school’s logo or walk name. Visit http://hsi.compet.com/ for more info. Prices vary with quantities.

Request a Hy-Vee KidsFit ® School Assembly KidsFit® promotes healthy lifestyles for kids and families through online video tutorials, fitness workbooks, Hy-Vee dietitian blogs and fun fitness challenges. Led by Hy-Vee KidsFit® certified personal trainer, Daira Driftmier, workouts and activities require no equipment or gym memberships, making it accessible year-round to people of all ages and skill levels. Participants can take the 5-week challenge to earn virtual trophies and badges. Visit https://www.hy-veekidsfit.com/school-assembly/ to learn more.

Social Media ContestsWalk More. Connect More.

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

We are using social media to energize Iowans to Walk More. Connect More. LIKE us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HealthiestIowa) FOLLOW us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/HealthiestIowa) FOLLOW us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iowahealthieststate/) Tag us and use hashtags #WalkMoreConnectMore and #GetYourWalkOn

INDIVIDUALS CONTESTThe Healthiest State Initiative is having weekly giveaways during our Walk More. Connect More. campaign! Starting on July 10, 2017, Iowan’s have the chance to win a prize by following these 3 simple steps on our weekly giveaway Facebook post:

LIKE our Facebook page SHARE our giveaway post Tag 2 of your friends!

It’s that easy. One winner will be chosen each week!

COMMUNITIES CONTESTWin $1,000 for YOUR community this summer by getting your walk on! 

How to enter: 

Post a photo of yourself or with friends walking on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Use the hashtag #GetYourWalkOn  Tag the Healthiest State Initiative  Tag your community

The winning community will be chosen at random to win $1,000 to help the community to start or fund projects that encourage a healthier community.  The more you #GetYourWalkOn and post, the better chance for you to win to give back to your community. The winner will be announced after the October 4, 2017 Annual Walk.

The Healthiest State Initiative will hold a check presentation for the winning community at a later date.

SCHOOL MASCOT CHALLENGEK-12 schools across the state can register for our annual School Mascot Challenge. In celebration of our Walk More. Connect More. campaign, the first 32 schools to

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

register a walk event on the Healthiest State Initiative website will compete in a bracket-style challenge via Facebook for a chance to win $1,000 and bragging rights for their school.

Each week, from September 7 to October 4, Iowans will be able to vote for their favorite mascot on Facebook until a final winner is crowned. Support your school to help start or fund healthy incentive projects.

The Healthiest State Initiative will hold a check presentation for the winning school, with dates to be determined and announced.

CONTEST RULES

General rules: No purchase is necessary to enter or win. You may be disqualified from participating or voting in the competition if the Healthiest State Initiative believes, in its sole discretion, that you may be tampering with the legitimate operation of the contest, circumventing the intended operation of the contest, in anyway acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, or using the contest facilities to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. The Healthiest State Initiative reserves the right to make decisions regarding eligibility and voting. All such decisions are final. Employees and board members of the Healthiest State Initiative are not eligible to vote.

School rules: School personnel may register a group walk by visiting the Iowa Healthiest State website (www.iowahealthieststate.com) and clicking on “Healthiest State Walk”, then “Organize a Group Walk” and choosing the “School” type in the dropdown menu.

The Healthiest State Initiative will automatically enter the first 32 schools that register a group walk into the voting competition. Voting will take place through the Healthiest State Initiative’s Facebook page, available at www.facebook.com/HealthiestIowa. Anyone at least 14 years of age with a Facebook account may vote once per round. The school with the most votes in the final round will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

Sample Social Media PostsUse social media to energize your walking group and connect with the Healthiest State Initiative.

LIKE us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HealthiestIowa/) FOLLOW us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/HealthiestIowa) FOLLOW us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iowahealthieststate/) Tag us and use hashtags #WalkMoreConnectMore and #GetYourWalkOn Share some of the fun posts from our Facebook and Twitter site with your

followers. Use the following as examples of social media posts on your own accounts.

Pre-WalkTwitter

Join us Oct 4 for the annual @HealthiestIowa Walk - 30 min of daily physical activity boosts health and wellness #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

We are joining the @HealthiestIowa Walk bc our students’ physical, social, and emotional health are top priorities #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

This year we will walk 30 min for the @HealthiestIowa Walk to boost the health of our students and the state #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Use the following post as an example if you are one of the first 32 schools to register, and are participating in the Mascot Challenge:

Visit [INSERT VOTE LINK] to vote for [MASCOT NAME] and help [INSERT SCHOOL NAME] win $1,000 for participating in the @HealthiestIowa Walk!

Make sure to share your photos, stories, and pledges “getting your walk on” while tagging @HealthiestIowa. Facebook

We are excited to participate in this year’s @HealthiestIowa Annual Walk, presented by @ DeltaDentalIA, in an effort to make Iowa healthier and to promote healthy lifestyles among our students. #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

The @HealthiestIowa Walk is 30 min – aligning with the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation of 30 minutes of physical exercise each day. #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Join us for the @HealthiestIowa Walk, presented by @ DeltaDentalIA, on October 4! 30 minutes of physical activity is proven to improve not only

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

physical health but also social and emotional health #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn #JoinUs(Attach image of walk poster)

We have registered for the @HealthiestIowa Walk, presented by @ DeltaDentalIA, as an effort to make healthy lifestyles a priority! Our walk will take place at [TIME, LOCATION]. Students and staff are excited to incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity into their days. #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Use the following post as an example if you are one of the first 32 schools to register, and are participating in the Mascot Challenge:

We were one of the first schools to register for the @HealthiestIowa Walk and are now entered into this year’s Mascot Challenge! Help [INSERT SCHOOL NAME] win $1,000 by voting for [MASCOT NAME] at [INSERT VOTE LINK]! We need everyone’s help, so vote now! #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Share photos and stories about students/walk members’ “getting their walk on”. Make sure to tag the Healthiest State Initiative and use #WalkMoreConnectMore and #GetYourWalkOn.

Day of WalkTwitter

Reminder: Join us today for the @HealthiestIowa Walk at [TIME] at [LOCATION] for a 30 min walk! #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

We are proud to support @HealthiestIowa Walk today and every day to make Iowa healthier #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Post photos of the group or individuals throughout the walk while tagging @HealthiestIowa and using #WalkMoreConnectMore and #GetYourWalkOn

Facebook Today is the day! Join students and staff at [TIME, LOCATION] for the

@HealthiestIowa Walk. We will walk for 30 minutes in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and incorporate physical activity into our day #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Post photos of the group or individuals throughout the walk while tagging the Healthiest State Initiative and using #WalkMoreConnectMore and #GetYourWalkOn

InstagramPost photos of the group or individuals throughout the walk while tagging @HealthiestIowa and using #WalkMoreConnectMore and #GetYourWalkOn

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore

Post-WalkTwitter

We had a great time joining @HealthiestIowa Walk and fitting 30 minutes of activity into our day #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

The @HealthiestIowa Walk was a great step towards a healthier Iowa, and we will continue to walk and be active! #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Facebook The @HealthiestIowa Walk, presented by @DeltaDentalIA, was a great first

step towards healthier lifestyles and we hope to use the momentum to continue daily physical activity. The walk was only a starting point! #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

We had a great experience participating in the @HealthiestIowa Walk, presented by @DeltaDentalIA, this past week. We realize that the walk represented more than just 30 minutes of activity but also a commitment to improving the overall health of our students and the State of Iowa! Visit www.iowahealthieststate.com for resources on continuing to pursue a healthy lifestyle! #WalkMoreConnectMore #GetYourWalkOn

Upload a photo album of groups and individuals from the walk and tag the Healthiest State Initiative and participants while using #WalkMoreConnectMore and #GetYourWalkOn.

Photos for Social MediaPlease feel free to use stock photos from the resources page in social media to create engagement. Other ideas for visuals include a photo of the walk route, individuals walking together, and the customizable poster with walk details.

Presented by Delta Dental of Iowa #GetYourWalkOn

#WalkMoreConnectMore