On Wednesday, October 9, the Cannon Elementary School Dads Club partnered with the North Central Texas Council of Governments to host the Walk and Roll to School Day event for Cannon Elementary. This one-day event emphasized the importance of safe routes to schools for all forms of active transportation. The event’s organizers encouraged families and students of all abilities to participate, fostering physical and mental well-being, and creating memorable moments with friends, families, and the community.
The event started at the Grapevine Botanical Garden parking lot, where over 150 students and their families welcomed with dance music, orange slices, donut holes, and swag bags containing safety pamphlets and bracelets. Parents and students made their way to Cannon walking, riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and skating on rollerblades. The four-block route was secured by Cannon’s School Resource Officer Bobby Smith with the aid of the Grapevine Volunteer Patrol.
Everyone’s eagerness and smiles were evident of the great time everyone had, with one student exclaiming, “I wish we could bike to school every day!”
The event continued throughout the day. Each grade level participated in additional programming designed to promote safe and active outdoor lifestyles. Students rotated between stations which included:
Helmet Fitting Station – Students were encouraged to bring their helmets to school to be checked for proper fit, and students learned about the importance of wearing protective gear
Walking Obstacle Course – The focus was to practice being situationally aware of their surroundings.
Downhill Skateboard Course – Students had the opportunity to skate down a grassy knoll and practice their balance.
Pledge Station – Each student in attendance that day took the safety pledge promising to be alert, on the lookout for cars in the street and to respect the rights of people to use streets safety along with other safety measures such as obeying traffic signs and signals, protecting one’s self by wearing a helmet and protecting friends and loved ones by encouraging them to follow traffic laws and be on the lookout for others. Families received the pledge ahead of time along with a drawing entry form to participate in a prize giveaway.
The event culminated with a live drawing on campus where over $1,000 in prizes were given away. One lucky winner rolled away with a kid’s specialized road bike, donated by Clarence Muller, owner of Mad Duck Cyclery. Additional prizes were donated by Socrates Villarreal, Cannon Dads Club President, including three custom skateboards and a set of helmet and pads.
“The morning ride to campus was fun, but the real satisfaction comes from knowing that we impacted the entire student body with this program and messaging throughout the day,” Villarreal said. “This was the first year for this event to return to Cannon after falling off the calendar during COVID. Based on the excitement and support for the event, I can certainly say this event will be back in rotation,” he added.
“Fostering strong parent and community partnerships is a key pillar of our STEM-focused school” remarked Dr. Tina Garrett, Cannon principal, who added that, “Our dad's club participation has had a tangible impact on our scholars, inspiring them to explore STEM subjects with greater enthusiasm and confidence. Their tireless efforts are truly making a difference, and I am grateful to have their partnership in our important work.”
The Dads Club at Cannon is an organization aimed to encourage engagement from Dads for school activities. They are responsible for building Cannon’s float for Grapevine Parade of Lights and programs like Door Dads, where they take over the car drop-off line on Friday mornings.
Congratulations to the Cannon Dads Club on a successful event and for their contributions throughout the school year. They are one of several Dads Clubs at GCISD campuses who contribute in supporting students and staff.