Walking the Trace
Moore’s entire 4th grade class will be going on a 26.2 mile marathon walk. Most of the walk will be taking place along the Natchez Trace Parkway. The program was started 16 years ago by Robert Sweetgall to promote health and fitness and to teach the kids about goal setting and what it takes to accomplish that goal.
Moore is the only school in the United States to have participated in this program every year. The children have worked very hard during the past 8 weeks training for the walk. Many parents have been training alongside the children and will be participating in the walk as well.
The physical education teachers, John Parks and Kathy Clark, will lead the walk, and a host of teacher chaperones and parent chaperones will join the group of students as they explore the Natchez Trace.
The students will leave Moore Elementary by bus May 8 and they will begin their walk at Bear Creek Pike. They walk all day and spend the night at Hillsboro School, a gracious school partner.
On Monday, May 12, a bus will transport the kids to the Water Valley Overlook on the Trace and they will walk south to complete the 26-mile journey. A law enforcement officer will accompany the children, as well as bike medics from Williamson Medical Center Emergency Services.
The children will be given opportunity for reflection and journal writing along the way, and will report on their experiences to younger classes following their return to campus.
This is a life-changing event for most students and one that they look forward to throughout their experience at Moore Elementary. It takes a great deal of commitment and preparation.
Students will be transported Friday to Dallas Downs subdivision for the walkers triumphant return to Moore Elementary. They will be arriving at the school between 2:30 and 3 PM. There will be a welcome back party with the entire school turning out to cheer them home. We would love to have you attend the celebration of our future leaders of Tennessee.
If you need more information, please contact the school’s physical education teachers, John Parksor Kathy Clark by phone at 790-4700.
