Burkburnett ISD teachers participate in the BikeTexas Safe Routes to School Program
The children in Burkburnett are going to be safer and more likely to walk and bike to school because the teachers of Burkburnett are involved in the Safe Routes to School program. On August 28, 2006, teachers from three elementary schools in the Burkburnett ISD were certified to teach the Texas SuperCyclist Curriculum to their students.
Cindy Giles, PE teacher at Hardin Elementary, is already implementing the safety program. The 4th and 5th grade students are learning the seven Texas Laws, the importance of wearing a helmet, how to fit a helmet and the proper use of hand signals. In the next few weeks children will also learn the various bicycle parts and how to do a bicycle safety inspection before every ride. A SuperCyclist bicycle inspection checklist will be sent home so the students, together with their parents, can perform a safety check on all their bikes.
100 Children Riding With 100 Properly Fitted Helmets!
On June 21, 2006, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls conducted a bicycle rodeo in partnership with the Injury Prevention Coalition of North Texas, lead by LaDonna Cooper RN, Trauma Educator. Over 300 children, ages 3-12 years, attended the wonderful event. Texas Bicycle Coalition was represented by Brenda Chuleewah, the Local Outreach Coordinator for Wichita Falls, who helped to fit the 100 helmets donated by the United Regional Health Care System-Trauma Services..
What would we do without the dedicated teachers that teach our children every day? Some teachers stand out by going the extra mile for their students. Two such teachers are David Brewer and Shara Brown of McGaha Elementary in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Last October several PE teachers in Wichita Falls were trained in the SuperCylist Curriculum, the Texas Bicycle Coalition Education Fund's nationally recognized comprehensive bicycle safety education course designed for 4th and 5th grade students. SuperCyclist equals SuperSafety for the children at McGaha Elementary because David and Shara have committed to the program.
Kate Haynes Elementary School in Wichita Falls enthusiastically celebrated Texas Bike & Walk to School Day on April 27, 2006. Participation was high with 89 of 232 students walking or biking to school that day. The students carried safety posters that they made and walked or rode in groups. An adult went over safety rules before the cyclists and walkers departed for the school. The students seem to enjoy the trip on the sunny, cool morning.
After the journey to school, the students arrived with rosy cheeks and were greeted with bananas, fresh muffins, peanut butter crackers and juice, generously provided by United Supermarkets’ Market Street and store manager Larry Martin, located at 4590 Kell Blvd in Wichita Falls. The nearby McDonald’s at 1605 Enterprise and owner Rick Boone donated apples with caramel dipping sauce for the students.
Kate Haynes Elementary Gets Involved in Safe Routes
On February 16, Brenda Chuleewah, local outreach coordinator for BikeTexas Safe Routes to School in Wichita Falls met with the Kate Haynes Elementary PTA. Attendee included Trey Sralla, PTA President, six PTA members and Mr. Galyean, Principal of Kate Haynes. The school's PE teachers were trained in the Texas SuperCyclist Curriculum in May 2005.
Chuleewah explained the Texas Bicycle Coalition’s Safe Routes to School Program and SuperCyclist Program to the PTA members. The members were interested to hear how the programs benefit their children by providing safety education and fitness opportunities. They were also interested to hear how BikeTexas Safe Routes to School benefits the whole community by significantly increasing Wichita Falls' chances of receiving transportation enhancement funds to improve bicycle access on roads and trails.
