Safe Routes to School

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Walk to School Day

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!

WTSD Events 2010-2018

VDOT Walk to School Day Resources

NEW for 2020 - Student Activity Sheets

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Picture Journal

NEW for 2020 - Social Media Graphics

	Let's Walk Together, Apart! English (PNG) Spanish (PNG)
	Walk and Roll! (Rectangle) English (PNG) Spanish (PNG)
	Celebrate WTSD Anywhere! (Rectangle) English (PNG) Spanish (PNG)
	WTSD Any Way You Can! English (PNG) Spanish (PNG)
	Walk and Roll! (Square) English (PNG) Spanish (PNG)
	October is Walking Month English (PNG) Spanish (PNG)
	Celebrate WTSD Anywhere! (Square) English (PNG) Spanish (PNG)