Walk to School is a program that began in Chicago in 1997 and was sponsored by the Partnership for a Walkable America. Today, Walk to School is a program that has participants from all 50 states. The goal is to promote safer streets and encourage healthier habits and cleaner air by walking and biking. Walk to School typically occurs the first week in October. Schools encourage children and families to walk to and from school that day. Children who are unable to walk due to distance are provided with walking activities during recess, lunch, or PE to enable participation and encourage awareness for all.
District 204 PTA’s, in cooperation with their school’s administration, help to provide activities for the children. Some schools make it a simple event by encouraging walking that day, while others provide incentives such as pencils or water bottles or encourage school mascots to come out and walk with the children. The hope is that by participating in such activities, families will make walking a habit.
For more information regarding this important day please visit the International Walk to School website at www.walktoschool.org.