Schools Can Register for 2023’s International Walk & Roll to School Day

International Walk & Roll to School Day is October 4th, 2023 (or October 18th for schools with fall breaks). Walking, biking, skating, and scooting are great ways to get to school. An active commute sets students up for a healthy and on-time start for a successful school day.

Healthy Bodies & Healthy Communities

Most of us know that getting exercise by walking or biking to school improves the physical, social, and emotional health of students, but the benefits can extend to the entire neighborhood as well. When families walk, neighbors get to know each other and no longer feel like strangers. When people see other families’ children walking to school, perceptions of safety can increase which can lead to more parents allowing their own kids to walk. Plus, with fewer cars on the road, neighborhood air quality improves, and traffic congestion lessens.

Safe & Healthy Habits

Studies show that active children tend to become active adults. Building a daily routine of walking or biking to school is one way to ingrain exercise as a normal, everyday activity. (Your children will thank you for this healthy habit when they’re older!)

Teach your children how to walk and bike safely. Plan and practice using a safe route to school and talk with your kids about what to do in an emergency. Learning to navigate the environment is an important part of growing up, and walking to school builds independence, character, and good decision-making skills. Getting to know neighbors along the route also gives students plenty of support options between home and school, if needed. Some parents feel safer walking with their children (and also benefit from the exercise and shared quality time). Team up with neighbors and learn how to form a Walking School Bus.

International Walk and Roll to School Day Is in October

Schools can host a Walk and Roll to School event this October, on October 4th (or October 18th for schools with fall breaks), or on another day of their choosing. Street Smarts Diablo will provide free promotional materials and participation prizes for schools that register by Sept 15th. Click the button below or send questions to kirsten@streetsmartsdiablo.org.

School Zone Safety Quiz

No matter how your student gets to school – biking, walking, or riding in a car – we want them to arrive safely. We’ve created a visual quiz covering unsafe school-zone behavior. Not only is this a good quiz for both students and parents, but it’s great to take it together.

Once you think you’ve identified the dangerous behaviors in the first image, scroll down to see the answers.

 
 
 
 
 

Start the New School Year with a New School Commute

Walking, biking, skating, and scooting are great ways to get to school. An active commute to start the day sets students up for a safe, healthy, and on-time start for a successful new year of school.

Healthy Bodies & Healthy Communities

Most of us know that walking or biking to school provides great exercise for students by building strong bones and muscles and improving cardiovascular health. But the benefits of walking and biking also extend to the entire neighborhood and surrounding community.

Walks through the neighborhood give neighbors the chance to meet, greet and look out for each other. When neighbors see other families’ children walking to school, feelings of security can increase and create a snowball effect of more students walking together in groups (How to Form a Walking School Bus). Plus, with fewer cars on the road, air quality improves and traffic congestion lessens.

Safe & Healthy Habits

Studies are showing that children who are active on a regular basis tend to become active adults. Building a routine of walking or biking to school each day is one way to ingrain exercise as a normal, daily activity for a lifetime. (Your children will thank you for instilling exercise as a way of life when they’re older!)

Teach your children how to walk and bike safely. Plan – and practice – a safe route to and from school. Learning to navigate the environment is an important part of growing up, and walking to school builds independence, character, and decision making skills.

Many parents feel uneasy allowing students to walk for fear of kidnapping or attack. While actual statistics show these occurrences are extremely rare, it is important to talk with children about what to do in an emergency. Some parents feel safer walking with their children and also enjoy the benefits of exercise and shared quality time. Getting to know neighbors along the route also gives students plenty of support options between home and school, if needed.

Have a great 2018-19 school year, from Street Smarts Diablo.

Sequoia Middle School Walk & Roll to School Day 2017

From left to right: Lisa Chow from District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff’s office, Pleasant Hill Mayor Michael Harris, Sequoia MS Vice Principal Lisa Keck, Street Smarts Diablo Program Coordinator Kirsten Riker; Background: Street Smarts Diablo’s Paula Troy helps fit a student with a free bicycle helmet

Lots of students participated in today’s Walk and Roll to School Day at Sequoia Middle School. Although it rained all night in Pleasant Hill, the skies cleared just in time for the students’ human-powered commute to campus. It’s a good reminder that rain shouldn’t discourage you from walking or rolling to school!

Not only did lots of students arrive by foot, bike and scooter, we also had great event partners helping us with the event. Pleasant Hill Mayor Michael Harris walked to campus, chatted with students and even took the blender bike for a spin. Lisa Chow, from District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff’s office, helped pass out prizes and raffle tickets, while CHP Officer Brandon Correia attended in support of safe biking and walking activities.

We were thrilled to present Sequoia Middle School Vice Principal Lisa Keck a matching $250 donation for being a winner in last spring’s Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s ‘Fire Up Your Feet Challenge’. Way to go, Giants!

Street Smarts Diablo offers bicycle and pedestrian safety and encouragement programs at no cost to public schools in Central and East Contra Costa County. If you want us to lead an assembly at your school or help you put on a Walk & Roll to School Day, contact our Program Coordinator.