On October 3rd, schools across Oklahoma – and the world – will participate in International Walk to School Day, an annual effort to promote physical activity, teach children how to identity safe routes to school, raise awareness of walkability within communities, reduce traffic congestion, speed and air pollution near schools and to gather community leaders, parents and children together. Walk to School Day was launched in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America and became international when the United Kingdom and Canada joined with the United States in 2000.
Member governments with schools participating in 2012 include Choctaw, Crescent, Mustang, Norman, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Edmond, Guthrie, Moore and Piedmont. Statewide, a total of 78 schools will be participating.
Pictured above is Oklahoma State Superintendent Janet Barresi walking with students at Millwood Elementary School in October of last year for Walk to School Day 2011.