Celebrate Walk to School Week from October 3 to 7
For Immediate Release
September 27, 2016
GUELPH, ON – This October, leave the car at home and walk, bike or roll to school.
The Upper Grand District School Board is a partner in the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) Committee.
From October 3 to 7, ASRTS is encouraging students to join schools across Canada in celebrating Walk to School Week. Schools are also holding special events on Wed. October 5 – Walk to School Day.
Walking, biking or rolling to and from school with friends can be exhilarating and fun. To give it a try during the first week of October, here are some ideas:
- If you can walk safely to school, leave the car at home and travel to school on foot or on your bike with your friends.
- If you live too far to walk the whole way, try getting dropped off at a friend’s house or a few blocks away from the school so you can walk the last leg.
- If you take the school bus, have a walk in the school yard at break time so you can get active too.
Parents are encouraged to teach children about walking or riding to school safely:
- Be a good role model. Demonstrate road safety rules with your child (e.g. looking both ways when crossing the street).
- Plan a walking or riding route. Assess potential hazards with your child. Encourage your child to stick to the route.
- Remind your child about personal safety. Point out the houses of people you know where they can go for help if needed.
- Adopt a buddy system. Walk with a “walking buddy” – a sibling or a friend.
- Ask that electronics like iPods and cellphones be put in their bag while walking to school.
Pedestrian safety is compromised by texting, earphones and cellphone conversation.
- Talk about the rules of the road and pedestrian safety.
School communities can encourage active travel by organizing events to celebrate Walk to School Day on October 5, such as crazy hat contests, group walks, classroom competitions and apples for walkers. If your school plans to hold an event, please let the Active & Safe Routes to School Committee know by registering here.
Don’t forget to follow your local ASRTS Committee on Twitter and Facebook to show them your shoes and pedals on Walk to School Day.
For more information, visit the Active & Safe Routes to School website.
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