Third grade students in Pat Shiemke's class (from left) Madeline Kaseman, Jason Belonga, and Madison Coleman attach their pedometers at the end of the school day in preparation for heading home Thursday, December 18. The challenge is underway as St. Ignace elementary and middle school classes compete to increase after-school activity. Their steps are recorded by pedometers as part of the Safe Routes to School program that combines safety and fitness for kindergarten through eighth grade students.

Just before the school Christmas vacation, Pat Chargo's fourth grade class was declared the winner of the first month of competition, with the most steps taken. The students received a catered lunch in an unused classroom set up as a cafe, complete with tablecloths.

After the first month, each class has a base level of steps recorded. Beginning in January, the competition changes and classes compete based on the largest increase in steps they take each month, said Elementary School Principal Kari Visnaw. Setting up the competition that way, she said, makes it possible for the kindergarten classes to compete fairly against middle school students.

The staff also is taking part in the exercise challenge.

Each day upon arrival at school, students place their pedometers in a container, where they remain until classes end for the day. Shortly before classes are dismissed, teachers return the devices and students attach them to their waistbands. Steps the student takes after school are measured and recorded. Steps are combined into a classroom total.

The pedometers remain at school over the weekend.

Emily Fullerton, physical education teacher, is leading the pedometer program. The competition is to help motivate students to become more active, she said, adding that more than 25% of the population of Michigan is considered obese and through programs like this one, the state is hoping to reverse the trend.

The program is part of a $62,235 grant awarded to St. Ignace Elementary School from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Fitness Foundation. The funding helps create safe routes to schools, which then allows students to ride a bicycle or walk to improve their physical fitness.

Each week, the winning class will receive a catered lunch. At the end of the competition this spring, the class that has walked the most will receive a trip to Mackinac Island and lunch at Grand Hotel.

Funds from the grant will also be used to construct a sidewalk on Spring Street, where students now walk on the grass, and during winter months, on the street. Flashing lights alerting traffic to the school zone will be installed on Portage Street.