THE FLANIGAN family, led by Sydney with dad Keith, sister Kyleigh and mom Dawn walk to school on International Walk to School Day at the Greenwood School. (Mike Angelo Photo)
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WAKEFIELD – Children from the Greenwood School, and their parents, participated in International Walk to School Day on Friday, Oct. 13.
Schoolchildren from all 50 states took steps toward increasing their physical activity by participating in the walk.
"There is encouraging research that shows walking to school is associated with higher overall physical activity throughout the school day," said Lauren Marchetti, director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School. "Holding a Walk to School Day event can be a great catalyst to getting kids up and active."
"The benefits of walking to school extend beyond increasing physical activity, such as decreasing congestion surrounding schools, increasing an emphasis on pedestrian safety in the community, decreasing emissions surrounding the school and even improving student behavior and performance within the classroom," noted Joie Edson, Greenwood physical education teacher.
Parents and teachers have commented that children arrive more alert and ready for the day when they walk to school.
The 2006 event marked the 10th International Walk to School Day. What started with one school in Chicago has grown to more than 5,000 schools in the U.S. On a global scale, nearly four million people participate in approximately 40 countries.
Walk to School Day began as a simple idea – children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It was an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity and the need for safe places to walk and bike.
Organizations supporting International Walk to School Day in the U.S. include America Walks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safe Kids Worldwide and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.
GREENWOOD SCHOOL physical education teacher Joie Edson signs a certificate for Annabel Greco showing she walked to school. (Mike Angelo Photo)
STUDENTS who walked to school on International Walk to School Day at the Greenwood School got to sign the wall. (Mike Angelo Photo)