Russell Williams
Well-Known Member
I presented this at a televised board of ed meeting earlier tonight.
Somewhere I picked up a brochure showing the bike paths that have been established in Washington County. Most of them are between 25 and 50 miles and wander up and down hundreds of feet. These are beyond my level of ability. I did find a 10 mile path in Hagerstown and decided to ride it. In several places, following the directions on the map, I rode past signs saying No bicycles allowed.
Toward the end of the ride I encountered a policeman driving down the street. I waved him over, explained the situation, and waited for him to basically tell me to go bother somebody else.
He did not. He looked at the map, made up a list of the areas where the mapped bicycle trail went through areas where bicycles were not allowed, and said that first thing Monday morning he would present that list to the proper people.
Monday morning someone from the city called me. They explained that, on the bicycle riding paths in the parks, they would be taking down the signs prohibiting bicycle riding and putting up signs indicating that these were bicycle paths.
How does all of this relate to education and the Washington Public School System? At a previous meeting it was mentioned that possible state legislation will require that, for several years, the amount of phys ed. time be increased each year. Exercise done only in school will not solve the problem of lack of exercise in the youth of Washington County. Bicycle riding is an excellent exercise and an excellent family activity. Hagerstown, and the rest of Washington County, now have bicycle paths where children and adults can exercise and at the same time enjoy each others company.
What can the school system due to encourage exercise through the use of the bicycle paths of Washington County? On September 8, 2006 a memo went out to the principals. This memo was a clarification of the Wellness; Physical and Nutritional Health Policy. The memo states that policy is to promote a culture whereby students learn to take responsibility for their own health and adopt healthy habits and attitudes and behaviors for life. The letter goes on to state, and I quote, As in everything that adults do in schools, the power of example is greater than the power of lecture. This particular letter tends to emphasize adults setting an example by what they eat and drink but certainly the leadership statement also applies to physical exercise.
So, knowing the importance of leading by example, and knowing the importance of increased physical exercise, and knowing the existence of bicycle paths, what can the Board of Education do to promote increased exercise by the students and parents of the Washington County Public Schools?
The Board of Education can organize a senior staff and board member bicycle ride around the 10 miles of bicycle paths in Hagerstown. Newspaper reporters can be invited to ride and take pictures. The fact that I have done it proves that almost everyone in this room can do it and do it better than I. The whole community will focus on the kind of exercise that can be provided by riding bicycles. As parents and children say, If the leadership of the public schools could do this I can certainly do it, the health of the whole community will be improved without the need for special grants, or extra supervisors, or study groups, or other expensive things.
Russell Williams
If anyone wants to use any of this in posts to others they may. I encourage people to read it to their local school boards.
Somewhere I picked up a brochure showing the bike paths that have been established in Washington County. Most of them are between 25 and 50 miles and wander up and down hundreds of feet. These are beyond my level of ability. I did find a 10 mile path in Hagerstown and decided to ride it. In several places, following the directions on the map, I rode past signs saying No bicycles allowed.
Toward the end of the ride I encountered a policeman driving down the street. I waved him over, explained the situation, and waited for him to basically tell me to go bother somebody else.
He did not. He looked at the map, made up a list of the areas where the mapped bicycle trail went through areas where bicycles were not allowed, and said that first thing Monday morning he would present that list to the proper people.
Monday morning someone from the city called me. They explained that, on the bicycle riding paths in the parks, they would be taking down the signs prohibiting bicycle riding and putting up signs indicating that these were bicycle paths.
How does all of this relate to education and the Washington Public School System? At a previous meeting it was mentioned that possible state legislation will require that, for several years, the amount of phys ed. time be increased each year. Exercise done only in school will not solve the problem of lack of exercise in the youth of Washington County. Bicycle riding is an excellent exercise and an excellent family activity. Hagerstown, and the rest of Washington County, now have bicycle paths where children and adults can exercise and at the same time enjoy each others company.
What can the school system due to encourage exercise through the use of the bicycle paths of Washington County? On September 8, 2006 a memo went out to the principals. This memo was a clarification of the Wellness; Physical and Nutritional Health Policy. The memo states that policy is to promote a culture whereby students learn to take responsibility for their own health and adopt healthy habits and attitudes and behaviors for life. The letter goes on to state, and I quote, As in everything that adults do in schools, the power of example is greater than the power of lecture. This particular letter tends to emphasize adults setting an example by what they eat and drink but certainly the leadership statement also applies to physical exercise.
So, knowing the importance of leading by example, and knowing the importance of increased physical exercise, and knowing the existence of bicycle paths, what can the Board of Education do to promote increased exercise by the students and parents of the Washington County Public Schools?
The Board of Education can organize a senior staff and board member bicycle ride around the 10 miles of bicycle paths in Hagerstown. Newspaper reporters can be invited to ride and take pictures. The fact that I have done it proves that almost everyone in this room can do it and do it better than I. The whole community will focus on the kind of exercise that can be provided by riding bicycles. As parents and children say, If the leadership of the public schools could do this I can certainly do it, the health of the whole community will be improved without the need for special grants, or extra supervisors, or study groups, or other expensive things.
Russell Williams
If anyone wants to use any of this in posts to others they may. I encourage people to read it to their local school boards.
