Activate Buffalo County Hosting Walk to School Day Events

This year, International Walk to School Day is scheduled for October 7th. So far, through Community Partners’ Safe Routes to School program, Kenwood, Windy Hills, and Northeast, as well as Pleasanton Public School, plan to host events encouraging students to walk or bike to school.

With particpation rates of up to 80% in the past, Safe Routes to School Coordinator Kate Hannon is excited for this year’s activities. “The elementary aged children love to be welcomed at school by UNK athletes,” Kate said. “Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration.”

There are many different ways to show students, families, and communities that walking or bicycling to school is a fun and feasible way to travel. What has worked well in the past is if students and families can develop neighborhood walking groups. Gather a handful of kids in one neighborhood and have them walk together. There is safety in numbers and the students enjoy walking together. Or, designate specific starting points near the schools for families who live to far from school or who have limited routes for walking and biking such as a park or church. For example, many Kenwood students will meet at Centennial Park and walk to school on International Walk to School Day.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Safe Routes to School program, please visit ActivateBuffaloCounty.com. If you would like to help host or volunteer for Walk to School Day activities, please contact Kate Hannon at 308-865-2287 or srts@bcchp.org.