More than 300 schools in Michigan will join students around the country to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Walk to School Day. Thousands of Michigan students, along with their parents, teachers and community leaders, are expected to participate.
“Walk to School Day is a simple way for schools to encourage students and parents to walk to school. This event is a great first step in planning Safe Routes to School activities and helps schools initiate and reinforce a permanent culture of walking and biking among students,” said Meg Thomas-Ackerman, the Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) director. “The Michigan Fitness Foundation is thrilled to partner with MDOT to help make Michigan one of the states with the most schools participating in Walk to School Day.”
Walk to School Day encourages students to seek a lifetime of physical activity. The event takes place nationally and internationally, promoting the growth of walkable communities while helping to reduce air pollution and traffic. Walk to School Day also gives young people a chance to engage with their communities while developing leadership skills and building confidence.
As part of the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the Michigan SRTS team partners with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to work with schools, families and communities across the state to enhance active transportation through a variety of modes. Federal funding for SRTS programs was established by Congress in 2005, continued under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) of 2012, and again under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015. MDOT’s role is to administer the federally legislated SRTS program.
“We are delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Walk to School Day with the Michigan Fitness Foundation and students across Michigan,” said Mike Kapp, MDOT Office of Economic Development administrator. “We look forward to many years of helping students get to and from school safely.”
The mission of the Michigan Fitness Foundation is to inspire active lifestyles and healthy food choices through education, environmental change, community events, and policy leadership.
For additional local information about Walk to School Day, please contact Ben Kohrman at 517-908-3833 or bkohrman@michiganfitness.org. For additional information, please visit these websites:
- Michigan Safe Routes to School – www.saferoutesmichigan.org/w2sd
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/michfitness
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/michiganfitness
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