The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team and leadership at Avalon Elementary in the Val Verde Unified School District adopted a simple change to the school’s morning routine that has led to positive shifts in student behavior and campus culture.
Each day now starts with providing students 20 minutes to walk or run laps around the track before school begins to burn energy and interact with peers and staff.
This simple activity has been credited with drastically reducing disciplinary issues and improving outcomes. Eight years ago, the school logged 225 major referrals in a single school year — that number has dropped to just three and Avalon now boasts the lowest discipline rates in the district and suspensions have been nearly eliminated.
Since the introduction of Morning Walks as a Tier 1 PBIS intervention — a universal, proactive support for every student — more children have joined athletics, families have become more engaged and students report greater confidence and belonging, according to school leaders.
“Our positive school climate is rooted in the unique way we start each day. Every day begins with movement, mindfulness and connection,” explained Principal Laura Pulido. “That’s how we build not just better learners, but better humans.”
Each student carries a lanyard to scan laps, learning accountability and goal tracking. Students earn prizes and recognition for milestones, all while chatting with peers, teachers and even family members who join in on select days, which helps to further build relationships across the campus.
Some mornings include story walks, health facts, gratitude prompts or themed wellness activities.
Research shows that 20 minutes of moderate physical activity can enhance focus and improve mood, which primes the brain for stronger cognitive engagement. Exercise also increases blood flow, releases dopamine and serotonin, and promotes self-regulation.
School leaders noted that for elementary students who are still learning how to manage emotions, attention and energy, physical activity acts like a natural “reset button” by giving children a chance to release stress, engage socially, and enter the classroom centered and ready to learn.
Additionally, at a time when local educational agencies are balancing tight budgets and growing student needs, the Morning Walks initiative demonstrates a low-cost, high-impact solution to boost student wellness.
