Friday, October 03, 2014
Elgin St Thomas Public Health
Schools Celebrate International Walk to School Day (iWalk)
On October 8, 2014 students and families in St. Thomas and Elgin County will be joining others around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day (iWalk) by using active transportation to get to and from school. Active transportation is any form of human powered travel such as walking, biking, wheeling, skateboarding, etc. It can help to:
- Improve physical and mental health
- Improve traffic and safety around your school „h Improve air quality and help the environment
- Have students arrive at school alert and ready to learn
- Feel more connected to your community
International Walk to School Month (iWalk) is an international awareness event that takes place every October to raise the awareness about walking to school. Schools are encouraged to run fun events and activities to inspire more children and families to walk to school and to educate the school community on the benefits of walking to school. The Mayor of the Town of Aylmer, Jack Couckuyt, has declared October to be Walking Wednesday Month. He will be at McGregor School as students arrive to celebrate iWalk Day on Wednesday, October 8, 2014.
June Rose Callwood Public School, McGregor Public School and Davenport Public School will be celebrating iWalk Day to kick off their participation in the School Travel Planning program at their school. When students arrive at school, they will be celebrating by tracing their footprints on the sidewalk and writing on an iWalk banner. The School Travel Plan is a program that works with organizations and community partners to help remove concerns that prevent children and families from choosing active transportation to get to and from school. For more information on the School Travel program and iWalk Day, visit the Active and Safe Routes to School for St. Thomas, Elgin, Middlesex, London and Oxford www.activesaferoutes.ca.
Media Contact:
Pam Ewart
Public Health Nurse
519-631-9900 ext 1258
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