AUSTIN, TX — More than 1,000 Austin elementary students received free new shoes Thursday as part of a community program aimed at improving attendance and academic performance.
The Junior League of Austin’s Kids in Cool Shoes committee, along with volunteers, fitted and distributed shoes to kindergarten through third-grade students at four Austin ISD campuses.
More than 1,000 Austin elementary students received free new shoes Thursday as part of a community program aimed at improving attendance and academic performance. (Photo: CBS Austin)
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“It affects academic performance, it affects school attendance. It affects behavior, confidence,” Lia Truitt, Chair of Kids in Cool Shoes, said. “Truly having a pair of properly fitting shoes is so critical for a child and their development.
According to program data, well-fitting shoes improve school attendance by 44%, increase participation in physical activities by 72% and improve classroom behavior by 63%.