October is Walk to School Month - in Arlington and Around the World!
Each year, Arlington students are invited to discover the joys of traveling to school on foot or by bicycle as part of a year-round campaign to encourage healthier lifestyles among students. During the month of October, these modes of transport received extra attention, thanks in part to an international campaign which skipped across the ocean to the US nearly ten years ago.
International Walk to School Day and Month 2006
In 2006, Arlington's own Walk and Bike to School Week was expanded! Throughout the entire month of October, many Arlington Public Schools staff and PTA's incorporated activities focusing on walking and biking into the curriculum.
Ashlawn Elementary was selected for this special honor in 2006 in part because of the outstanding efforts of CHAWK - Championing Health and Wellness in Kids - an arm of the PTA committed to encouraging healthy lifestyles among Ashlawn students and their families.
Ashlawn's Walk to School Day
On Wednesday, October 4, a beautiful fall day, students around the County celebrated Walk and Bike to School day in various ways.
At Ashlawn Elementary, more than 75 students met at various pre-determined points on bike and walking trails and sidewalks around the neighborhood. Escorted by parents and carrying signs made in Ms. Hicks' art class, they walked and biked to the basketball court, where they were welcomed by Ashlawn Principal Edgar Miranda and Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Robert Smith. School Board Chair Mary Hynes, School Board members Ed Fendley and Frank Wilson, Assistant Superintendent Meg Tucillo, and WALKArlington staff, as well as other Arlington Public Schools employees, joined them as well.
After a welcome from Mr. Miranda, Superintendent Smith praised the Ashlawn community for valuing healthy eating, physical activity, and a healthy lifestyle, and urged then to continue to walk and bike to school in the coming weeks. The children received stickers saying they had walked or biked to school and, carrying their signs, walked together up the hill to school.
Share Your Stories!
Arlington students are invited to share their stories and photos of how they participated in Walk and Bike to School Month 2006. If you are an Arlington Public School student, we welcome YOUR story. Send it along to WALKArlington, and you will receive a special gift. Please see below for details.
Here is a story from this year:
"I walk and bike to school almost every day, except when it's raining or we are running out of time, which doesn't happen very often. My mom and I usually have a lot of conversation as I walk to school. I like it because you get to really see nature. We go by Madison Manor Park, by Mace Park, and by the tennis courts. We see birds sometimes, and bunnies. Once we saw two turtles; they looked like a mama and a baby. At first we thought they were rocks. Walking to school is usually a lot of fun. Every once in a while, we bike to school. Biking to school means you go faster, so you can leave the house later. We usually go a different route biking than walking. This is the route: We go across a field, across a bridge, and straight for a long while. Then we turn left and go under a bridge. Then we go up a hill, turn right, and we're there. The End." - Laurel Eddins, Grade 2, Ashlawn Elementary School
Submit Your Story!
Arlington County students: what did your class school do for Walk and Bike to School Month? Drop an e-mail 
to walkarlington@arlingtonva.us and let us know. Include a photo or two as well! The first dozen walkers or bikers we hear from will receive a special WALKArlington gift! Students: descriptions must be at least 30 words long; they must also clearly and accurately describe the activity. Be sure to note your your name, school, grade in school and the class in which the walking activity took place. And don't forget your mailing address -- and photos!
