Elementary Students Celebrate International Walk to School Day

Students hoped to raise awareness by walking to school together

Greensboro, N.C. – A colorful parade appeared on the sidewalks leading to Irving Park Elementary Wednesday. Students, their parents and community members marked International Walk to School Day on Oct. 8 by walking to school together.

The walkers gathered at Kirkwood Park and Moe’s Southwest Grill on Battleground Ave. this morning before walking to school with colorful signs reminding drivers to keep it slow and safe, especially around schools.

According to the World Health Organization, road traffic injuries are the second-leading cause of death among children ages 5 to 14 worldwide.  More than 61 children 19 and under are injured every day severely enough to seek medical attention and almost 500 children are killed every year in the United States. International Walk to School Day is meant to raise awareness, promote pedestrian safety, create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children.

“Thank you to FedEx and Safe Kids Guilford County/Cone Health for sponsoring Irving Park Elementary’s participation in Walk to School Day ’14,” says Patrick Murphy, Walk To School PTA Sub-committee chair, “It was great seeing all of the happy faces of the students and parents walking together and promoting awareness for pedestrian safety around our city schools!"

Tips to remember:

·         Developmentally, most kids can’t judge speeds and distances until at least age 10, so younger kids need to cross with an adult

·         Did you know most walking injuries happen mid-block or someplace other than intersections? Whenever possible, cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks

·         Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, and keep looking and listening while crossing

·         Remove headphones when crossing the street and if you need to use your phone, stop walking.

·         Distraction among drivers is at an all-time high today, so try to make eye contact with the driver before you step into the road.

- A Press Release