Media Advisory

• Tweet

Monday, October 4, 2010

What:

Seven West Contra Costa County schools, including three middle schools, will join thousands of schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day this Wednesday to reduce traffic and air pollution around school zones. The annual event aims to encourage walking and biking to school and promote pedestrian and bicycle safety. This year's theme is "Walk & Roll 2 School." Participants will receive an "I Walked to School" sticker, a coloring book, a pen or pencil, a nutritious breakfast snack and a variety of Street Smarts traffic safety campaign materials and other information on safety, healthy eating and physical activity. These activities are funded as part of a Caltrans Safe Routes to School grant awarded to Contra Costa Health Services in 2008.

When:

7:15 a.m. to opening bell, Wednesday, October 6 at participating schools.

Who:

Participating schools are Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School, Nystrom Elementary School, Verde Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Lovonya DeJean Middle School in Richmond; Portola Middle School in El Cerrito, and Hercules Middle High School.

Why:

It is important to start early to build healthy habits and get exercise just by going about our daily business. Given current rates of childhood obesity, and the 600 pedestrian and bicycle collisions in Contra Costa last year, it is imperative to create safe walking and bicycling environments and encouraging safe ways to walk and bike to school. More information about the October 6 event can be found at www.cawalktoschool.com, www.walktoschool.org and www.iwalktoschool.org.

# # #