October is Walk to School Month

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October is Walk to School Month
Garfield Elementary School students and staff pose before a crosswalkThe Olympia School District has proclaimed October 2019 as Walk to School Month.

Superintendent Patrick Murphy read the proclamation during the September 23 school board meeting. It states in part that in October, “children, parents and community leaders from around the world will join together for Walk to School events to increase awareness about the health and environmental benefits of walking and biking to school.”

The proclamation also states that “parents, school employees and community leaders can make a lasting impression among our community’s youth by modeling fun, safe and healthy behavior by accompanying students on Walk to School events.” The Olympia City Council approved a similar Walk to School Month proclamation on September 24.

When safe walking is available, students are encouraged to walk or ride bikes to school to improve their health, increase readiness to learn and learn about pedestrian safety.

Several schools have committed this year to participate in Intercity Transit’s Walk N Roll to School Days. Hansen Elementary kicked off the first Walk N Roll event on September 11. Students at Pioneer, Garfield, Centennial, McKenny and Roosevelt will join Hansen on October 9 to walk to school on National Walk to School Day, followed by walks each month throughout the school year.

National Walk to School Day is a global event celebrated every October with more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day.

We also want to remind motorists to slow down and observe the speed limit when driving in and around our schools. Thank you!