Participate in Walk to School Day

Walk to School Day is October 3, 2007.  Kids, families, and school staff are encouraged to walk or bicycle to school to celebrate and spread the word of the many positive benefits incurred when children walk to school every day.  The entire month of October is specifically dedicated to International Walk to School Month.  In 2006, 40 countries participated in the event in hopes of creating communities with more safe places to walk.

Walking and bicycling to school provide opportunities to enhance children’s health, improve air quality and the environment, and create safer outdoor spaces, but only about 10% of children in the United States walk to school on a regular basis. Walk to School Day events can range from a few kids and parents meeting to walk to school to very elaborate celebrations, and logistics can vary from creating a central walking location to people walking from their homes. 

The Walk to School Day website provides four steps to get organized for the event: 1) Get partners; 2) Plan; 3) Register the event; and 4) Promote it.  The website suggests that in order for an event to be successful, it must have the support and participation of the principal, police, and parents.  The school principal can give the school’s commitment, the local police department will ensure that safety is a priority, and parents add energy and enthusiasm and, often times, are the only ones who can make the walk possible.  In addition, it is important to involve public officials and other community leaders such as mayors, city council members, and school board members who may have an opportunity to publicly support health, environment, and safety initiatives. Some schools have gotten sidewalks fixed and new trails built in record time due to these kinds of partnerships. 

While planning the event, it is imperative to work with partners and, together, decide what type of event fits the school and the community.  It is also important to choose a focus for the walk, such as promoting physical activity or pedestrian safety.  Local businesses may be willing to sponsor the walk by providing refreshments or small gifts for participations. 

Finally, promoting the event is essential.  Making announcements at school, publishing school newsletter articles, and sending flyers home are just a few examples of how to get the word out.  Posting signs along the route a few days ahead will help inform the community about the event.  Media coverage is also very important.

For each of these steps, the website has links for “extra help” which includes information on event ideas, classroom activities, how to involve the police and public officials, and press releases, among others.  The website includes other resources such as promotional materials, educational materials, a media toolkit, and other school walking and biking tools. 

Registration for Walk to School Day is free and available to all event organizers in the country.  By registering, organizers gain access to a variety of downloadable items such as certificates and printable sticker templates and have a chance to win prizes for students.  Registrants can also subscribe to an e-newsletter. 

For additional information, please visit http://www.walktoschool-usa.org/.

Source: Walk to School Day website.