International Walk and Roll to School Day
October is International Walk to School month - did you know? My children's school will be participating on October 4th, for the official "Day" and we're all looking forward to it!
The plan is to have meeting locations in the neighborhoods surrounding the school, and then have the kids walk in groups, accompanied by a few adults. We form "walking school buses" and make our way to the school. It is great to see the parents and kids from your neighborhood, all walking and chatting - most mornings are a blur of circular driveway drop-offs and quick escapes before anyone notices you're wearing pajama bottoms.
Even families that live too far away to walk on a daily basis tend to drive to the nearest "bus stop" and walk the rest of the way. It's really cool to see everyone showing up on foot on these days.
Check with your school and see if you're participating this year. It's a fun chance to get out there and move with your kids.
Comments
We participated each year when my son was in elementary school- and it IS fun!
Posted by: Kate | September 27, 2006 6:22 AM
You know, one of the things I do Love about our new neighborhood is the fact that we walk Emily to school. It just seems that more and more suburban neighborhoods aren't designed with this in mind...which given the hoo-ha about childhood obesity may be something cities should think about...
Posted by: Dawn | September 27, 2006 7:06 AM
I've just come out of lurkerville to comment since you complained over at the circus that you were bored... Hmm, not sure what else to say really but I love to read both your blogs :-) I love the walking to school idea, I don't think it's something we do over here in the UK? It's a long time since I had anything to do with a school so I could be wrong though. Ho hum, well, I'd better get back to work - such fun! Have a good day.
Posted by: jo-less | September 27, 2006 7:20 AM
This makes me wonder why we only do this in October. Why not all year? I'd love to get together with my neighbors and walk our kids to school. Good for the kids, good for us!
I'm now officially "on the wagon," so I'm hitting this site a lot more often. The evil twin is looking good!
Posted by: Jenn2 | September 27, 2006 8:59 AM
Huh. I've never heard of this! Not walking to school, but the official designation. Learn something new every day!
Posted by: Shrinkingmom | September 27, 2006 9:25 AM
It's a wonderful idea! The kids get to meet up with their classmates, and the Mom's get a chance to chat with other Mom's along the way. The Crossing Guard has to deal with alot
less trafficking from dropoffs at the school by car. My children and many of their schoolmates would usually walked to school regularly since most kind of lived right in the neighborhood. Sue C.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 27, 2006 5:48 PM
I did not know that but that's great! I like that you are setting up meeting spots.
Posted by: Jen | September 29, 2006 5:10 PM