Published September 28 2017
Students, parents, and teachers at 10 local elementary schools will come together on Wednesday, Oct. 4 for Walk to School Day. The annual event promotes safe walking, healthier students and more connected neighborhoods.
Participating schools this year include Ardmore, Bennett, Clyde Hill, Lake Hills, Medina, Newport Heights, Phantom Lake, Somerset, Sunset and Woodridge. Last year, several hundred students and parents took part.
“I’m happy to walk to school together with my friends. It’s like a playdate,” said Victor Zhang, a second-grader at Somerset Elementary School. His mom, Pauline Chen, added that Walk to School Day is good exercise and “a great way to encourage students to get up early in the morning for school.”
Parent Teacher Student Association volunteers are working with city Transportation Department staff to coordinate Walk to School Day.
An important purpose of Walk to School Day is to help students and parents think of walking as a safe, active and healthy means of transportation. Other benefits include decreased traffic congestion around schools and a stronger sense of community.
Walk to School Day is part of a national event that began in 1997. Bellevue’s first participated in 2002.