RICHMOND, Va. -- If you were out this morning you may have seen a lot of children walking. Across the globe, including here in the Metro students and parents took part in 'International Walk To School Day.'
For several years now, schools in our area have taken part in the international initiative by encouraging students to ditch four wheels and school buses; instead to walk or bike to class.
This movement is designed to promote health, wellness and safety by highlighting for students safe paths they can take not only for the one day, but throughout the year to and from class. School leaders add the day was also a chance to build a stronger sense of community.
"I think it's really important to pull everybody together," William Fox Elementary Physical Education Teacher Marques Baytop said. "Not only is it a good healthy habit event, but it's good to have social networking and to have everybody together. You want each neighbor to understand who each and everybody is and you want to put a face to everybody."
"I think it's important to make the connection with our family and our school that it's a part of a community; our community is part of the city; and the city is part of the world," William Fox Elementary Principal Daniela Jacobs said.
School leaders also say not only is the international movement a chance to promote health, wellness and safety; but it's also a way to reduce our carbon footprints.
