Safe Routes to School
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Walk to School Day
About • In Virginia • Resources
What is Walk to School Day?
Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day to raise awareness of the benefits of walking and biking and need for Safe Routes to School. It began in 1997 as a one-day event, and has become the signature fall event for the year-round Safe Routes to School movement. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam – participate in a variety of ways every October.
When is International Walk to School Day? Walk to School Day is held annually on the Wednesday of the first full week in October. The dates for the coming years are:
- Walk to School Day 2020 – October 7
- Walk to School Day 2021 – October 6
Remember that all of October is Walk to School Month, and schools are encouraged to host events whenever is most convenient for them.
Why should my school participate in Walk to School Day? Participating in Walk to School Day and hosting an event is the perfect way to encourage walking to school, teach safe pedestrian skills, and kick off a Safe Routes to School program for the school year. Most importantly, it’s fun for everyone! Be sure to check out the resources below to help plan your school’s iWalk event.
What if students can’t walk to school? Even if students live too far or are unable to walk all the way to school, they can meet up with their classmates at a designated spot nearby and walk from there. Or the school can host a Walk at School event, where all students are invited to walk around the school grounds before class begins, during recess or enrichment classes.
Walk to School Day in Virginia
The popularity of Walk to School Day continues to increase each year thanks to dedicated school staff, community partners, parents and volunteers who help plan and host events at their schools.
In 2019, Virginia schools hosted a total of 386 events, breaking the previous record for the 10th year in a row!
Tuckahoe Elementary, Arlington
Waterman Elementary, Harrisonburg
Ginter Park Elementary, Richmond
VDOT Walk to School Day Resources
Learn it. Do it. Live it!
| Event Ideas | First Time Tips For Planning a SRTS Event | How to Plan a Walk or Bike to School Event in 7 Days | |
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| Conduct a Walk or Bike Audit | How to Organize Park and Walk Sites | ||
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Event Flyers
| Call for Volunteers | Event Flyer | Blank Flyer | |
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PDF - color PDF - B&W |
PDF - color PDF - B&W |
PDF - color PDF - B&W |
Communication Tools
| For Students & Parents | For the Press | ||
| Announcement Script | Press release template and instructions | Media Advisory template | |
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Incentives
| Stickers | Punch cards | You Did It! Certificates | ||
| Walk with me to school tomorrow! | I walked to school today! |
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| Black & White |
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| Coloring Book |
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National Center for SRTS Resources
Visit www.walkbiketoschool.org for more advice and customizable resources.
