Evanston’s Health Department is encouraging youngsters to get the school year off to a good start by walking to school during the first week of classes — Aug. 30 through Sept. 3.
Evanston’s Health Department is encouraging youngsters to get the school year off to a good start by walking to school during the first week of classes — Aug. 30 through Sept. 3.
The Health Department says studies show children don’t engage in enough physical activity. Walking to school is an everyday opportunity for children to make physical activity part of their daily routine and to live healthier and more active lifestyles.
The program will also highlight the importance of attending classes during the first week of school, especially on the first day, because attendance rates impact funding for local schools. Evanston youth of all ages are encouraged to walk to school in groups or with their parents.
Walk Week is a free program open to all. Students attending both public and private schools are encouraged to participate. Registration is not required.
Program participants will be provided with information about Walk Week and free wristbands. Program materials will be available for pick-up at Evanston libraries, recreation centers, the McGaw YMCA and the YWCA beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Information about safe walking routes to local schools is available online. For more information, call the Evanston Health Department at 847-866-2920.
walking to school
if only this would catch on! i’m not going to do the "when i was a kid, we…", but i have noticed that the kids going to school three blocks away from my house are either driven, or escorted by a parent. i can see driving them in below-zero weather, or when carrying a huge project or musical instrument, and i can see accompanying a kindergartner, but in my immediate neighborhood there are only two young boys who walk to school alone. i have a neighbor whose children never walked to school by themselves, from what i could see. they were always driven or accompanied, or at least met half-way by a parent or caregiver. i have been reflecting on this, and wondering what the percentages are of kids walking alone in other schools. this seems to me a reflection of the general fearfulness of many young parents these days. even the announcement from the city’s website suggested walking in groups or with a parent, and the evanston now article above mentions safe routes. it is a sad cultural comment that even though nation-wide, crimes against children have gone down over the last many years, every time one hears of a child being harmed in california or vermont, it is as though it happened on the next block. i would say, walk to school every day: alone, with a sibling, with a friend, or a group of them, and even, a parent.
Walking to school
Kids learn by example.
Are principals, superintendent and Evanston Mayor planning to walk to work that same week? The request is good, but lacks teeth. Kids want to see adults doing as they say…talk the talk and walk the walk.
Great Idea
What a great idea! Nowadays far too many school districs FORBID children to walk to school, so for the kids of Evanston to be encouraged to use their own two feet is refreshing. And kudos to the city to providing information to the public. Hopefully that will ease some fears and generate more interest. Those kids don’t know how lucky they are!
I live in Vermont, and my
I live in Vermont, and my daughter goes to school about half a mile from our house. We walk (or take her scooter, or her bike) nearly every day. Winter, too. There are only a few days when I feel it’s too bitter to walk. We dress appropriately and walk.