Students will take to the sidewalks Wednesday to walk to and from school during South Carolina Walk to School Day.
The event, sponsored by Safe Routes to School, is designed to encourage children to walk – and even bike – to school, and to encourage schools to designate safe routes to and from school for students.
This is the South Carolina event's third year. Last year, 188 schools participated in the March walk. Each October, schools throughout the area also participate in International Walk to School Day.
Pendleton-based District 4 actively participates in the even each year, and more than 1,300 participants walked to school or exercised at school during International Walk to School Day in October, according to Deputy Superintendent Joanne Avery.
Administrators in the district are meeting students at the Doghouse at 7:15 a.m. to walk to Pendleton Elementary. They will meet at 7:45 a.m. to walk to Riverside Middle School.
Below are some questions about the event, answered by Rodney Oldham, SRTS program coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
When is SC Walk to School Day?
SC Walk to School Day is our spring event and it occurs the first Wednesday of March (March 5, 2014).
How can schools participate?
• Walk TO School: Schools can simply encourage students that live within a safe walking distance to walk to school from their homes, or walk to school from a meeting location: In situations where the walking routes for students to get from their homes to the school are not safe, schools can look at establishing a Park and Walk location at a nearby park, grocery store parking lot, or community church.
• Walk AT School: If your school setting is not conducive to walking to school, you may consider walking around your school campus. This can be a school-wide walk in the morning, or specify designated class or grade-level walking times throughout the day. Get creative by including safety education and physical activity lessons with your event.
• Walk FROM School: Encourage your students to walk to their homes or to a designated Pick-Up location where parents/guardians are waiting for their children. You may even partner with a local after school care program to have their staff chaperone students on a walk to their location.
Are there any benefits of participating in SC Walk to School Day?
• It's fun. Host an event to show children how walking can be an enjoyable activity for the entire family. It can also help children develop a sense of independence.
• Healthier habits. Show students how simple lifestyle changes, such as walking to school, can help him/her increase their physical activity levels and overall health.
• Cleaner environment. Replacing car trips with walking or bicycling can help reduce both traffic congestion and air pollution around the school.
• Safety. Pair your event with safety education to help teach children pedestrian, bicycle, and personal safety skills.
• Community benefits. Use the event to raise awareness about the connectivity and walk-ability of the school neighborhood and encourage community involvement in Safe Routes to School programs.
What is Safe Routes to School (SRTS)?
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a K-8th grade federal, state and local effort to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school - and to make walking and bicycling to school safe and appealing
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