Hanawalt students (K-5th) participated in a 1.2 mile community nature walk on October 8th as part of Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative. According to the 2013 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Iowa is #10 in the nation when it comes to being physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation and Des Moines Public Schools are partnering to offer a youth basketball league for the 2014-2015 season. The program is for students in grades 1st through 7th. The registration deadline is October 17 and fees are $50 per student or $450 per team. Click the image to learn more and register to play.

Hanawalt 5th graders gather for their annual race around the track at the Hanawalt Block Party! It’s a free event held each fall for Hanawalt students and their families. This year’s block party included food, games, entertainment by ‘Juggler Bob’ and a Scholastic book fair.

Students burned some shoe rubber on the track during recess, raising money for school events and racking up miles on their way to a bigger goal. Each student will try to run and walk the distance of a marathon over the next six months. Students get prizes along the way as well as the opportunity to participate in the Drake Relay’s Grand Blue Mile!

Hanawalt Elementary Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts were at the Capitol for the Governor’s weekly press conference. The Governor and Lt. Governor were joined by the Iowa Parks Foundation and the Green Ribbon Commission to present a pilot project focused on a 100 year strategy for Iowa parks.