Student Life

What is Mileage Club?
It is a walking/running club that meets before school. Kids walk or run laps. They carry a card, and each time they complete a lap, a volunteer stamps it. When their card is full (20 stamps), they earn a foot charm and start a new card. Last year, 223 kids participated, walking over 1,500 miles! There is no need to sign up for Mileage Club; join us whenever you can.

Exercise has many benefits for kids. Physically, it helps maintain an appropriate weight, build strong bones and muscles, and build a strong immune system. Mentally, exercise boosts brain growth and executive function, the aspect of intelligence that helps us pay attention, plan and resist distractions. Mileage Club is a great way for kids to get some exercise and arrive at class ready to focus.

Can You Donate?
Mileage Club does not cost a lot to operate, but we rely on contributions from families who participate to purchase supplies such as charms, cards and chains. If you could send a few dollars to school with your child, it would be much appreciated.

Can You Help?
We can always use volunteers to stamp cards, help kids find their cards and distribute charms. If you can help, show up during any Mileage Club. Though there is a Sign Up Genius link, volunteers are always welcome! There is no need to sign-up; any time you have is appreciated. This is a sibling-friendly activity and siblings are welcome to participate.

How We Operate:
Mileage Club is cancelled in case of steady rain, or if the wind-chill is below 20 degrees (the same guidelines school uses for recess). In winter, we take a break until it is consistently warmer in the spring. We will notify families when we are breaking for the winter and when we change our schedule.

Purpose: Create a living learning lab for the students of Indianola K-8. This will allow students to grow food, create habitat, and learn about the natural world surrounding us. 

In the classroom: Many of the teachers at Indianola use the Outdoor Learning Environment to enrich their classrooms. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade have built butterfly habitats, written poetry, built sculptures, composted, studied weather, identified leaves, and much more. Teachers are always looking for parents who can assist them in the garden. If this is something that you are interested in volunteering for please email Amy Hill at ahill8792@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Our Partners: OSU Student Organization Growing Green, Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum (LOUA) OSU Department of Horticulture, Ohio Young Birders Association, Franklin Park, FLOW

GET INVOLVED! In order to create a successful and sustainable program volunteers are needed to help coordinate and work with students.

There are several ways to volunteer:

1. Donate birdseed for the feeders.
2. Volunteer in your student’s classroom.
3. Help maintain the edible garden by weeding and watering. Please contact Amy Hill at ahill8792@columbus.k12.oh.us.
4. Join LOUA during one of their work days to remove honeysuckle from Glen Echo and Walhalla Ravines.
5. Submit photographs and document the development of the Outdoor Learning Center.

This is just a start! The sky is the limit to engage students in this environment. However, if this is something you would like to continue at Indianola, you must volunteer!