Springwoods Students Walking to School Wednesday

On Oct. 3, schools across Virignia will be participating in International Walk to School Day.

The day was created in 1997 in the United States. According to a press release, communities across the Commonwealth and throughout the country will join together to celebrate International Walk to School Day. 

"Schools, towns, public health organizations, and parents alike are organizing walking school buses, group walks and other activities to highlight and celebrate the benefits of choosing student-powered transportation to school," said a release from the Virginia Department of Transportation. 

Who is walking in the Woodbridge area? 

Springwoods Elementary School

“We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of schools in Virginia that participate in Walk to School Day each year. Eighty-one schools participated in 2011 and 54 in 2010; this year over 100 have registered to participate which doubles the number of schools participating in the past two years, and we expect more schools to hold events throughout the month of October,” said Rob Williams, Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Safe Routes to School coordinator in a press release.

“Many of these schools have received funding or technical assistance through VDOT’s program, but they have all taken it upon themselves to participate in this event, and to send the message to their students about the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle,” he said.