Safe Routes to School
Statewide
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• Student Travel Tally Week
• Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
• Bike to School Day
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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 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, Any Way You Can 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.
In 2020,Virginia Safe Routes to School is celebrating Walk to School Day, Any Way You Can! Given the pandemic, we are encouraging communities to participate in whatever fashion that encourages physical activity safely. Celebrate at home, at school, or around the neighborhood! Remember to follow local health guidance when organizing your Walk to School Day events. |
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.
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 Walk to School Day event.
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!
For Walk to School Day 2020, schools, families and neighborhoods can all register their events on walkbiketoschool.org. Any school with a registered event will receive a Walk to School Day decal! |
VDOT Walk to School Day Resources
*NEW for 2020* - Student Activity Sheets
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Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt |
Picture Journal |
*NEW for 2020* - Social Media Graphics
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Let's Walk Together, Apart! |
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Walk and Roll! (Rectangle) |
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Celebrate WTSD Anywhere! (Rectangle) |
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WTSD Any Way You Can! |
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Walk and Roll! (Square) |
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October is Walking Month |
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Celebrate WTSD Anywhere! (Square) |
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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Learn it. Do it. Live it!
- Event Ideas (PDF)
- First Time Tips For Planning a SRTS Event (PDF)
- How to Plan a Walk or Bike to School Event in 7 Days (PDF)
- Conduct a Walk or Bike Audit (PDF)
- How to Organize Park and Walk Sites (PDF)
Event Flyers
- Call for Volunteers | PDF in Color | PDF in B&W
- Event Flyer | PDF in Color | PDF in B&W
- Blank Flyer | PDF in Color | PDF in B&W
Communication Tools
For Students and Parents
For the Press
National Center for SRTS Resources
Visit www.walkbiketoschool.org for more advice and customizable resources.