Walk to School Day
Arlington Public Schools (APS) has been participating in Walk and Bike to School Day since 1999, with support from WalkArlington for the last few years. Here are some highlights and snapshots from Walk and Bike to School Day events at different Arlington Public Schools from 2007 to the present.
International Walk to School Day 2011
Perfect weather conditions greeted Arlington students as they headed out to school on foot on Wednesday, October 5, in celebration of Walk and Bike to School Day 2011.
At McKinley Elementary, the school selected by Arlington Public Schools to be highlighted this year, nearly
600 students dressed in school colors of green and red took to the sidewalks., stopped for a water break at one of three parent-staffed rest stops en route, and began streaming into the school yard around 8:30 a.m. They dropped their backpacks, separated into sections by grade, and were greeted by local VIPs ranging from Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman and Vice Chair Mary Hynes to Arlington School Board member Libby Garvey and Superintendent Pat Murphy.
After politely listening to remarks from Superintendent Murphy and McKinley Principal Colin Brown, students and teachers celebrated the day by performing their version of a pedestrian “Safety Dance” before entering their 
classrooms, right in time for the 9:00 a.m. bell.
When McKinley students arrived in their classrooms, they received an array of Walk and Bike to School Day games. puzzles, and kid-friendly safety resources on walking and biking from WalkArlington and BikeArlington.com.
International Walk to School Day 2010
On October 6, Taylor Elementary School joined forces with WalkArlington and BikeArlington to celebrate International Walk and Bike to School Day 2010. With 675 students, Taylor is Arlington's largest elementary school, and thanks to WalkArlington, all 675 students were prepared for the day with resource packets and customized walking/biking maps in English and Spanish.
On International Walk and Bike to School Day, every Taylor student also had an opportunity to walk at least part of the way to school because Arlington Public Schools had arranged to have buses unload at a church adjacent to the school. As a result, even those bus-riding students who live too far away to walk to Taylor had the chance to take a connecting footpath and cover the final distance to reach their school on foot!
Upon arrival, all students were greeted by alumni band "The Box," featuring former Taylor students now in middle school, plus the Taylor Elementary chorus and band. All students received WalkArlington reflective pedestrian safety wristbands, neighborhood walking route maps, Arlington County bicycle maps, games, puzzle sheets, and safety tips to take home after the event. It was quite a morning!
Best of all, the principal at Taylor Elementary School reports that there has been an increase in the number of kids walking to school since October 6!
International Walk to School Day 2009
Arlington celebrated Walk and Bike to School Day 2009 on Wednesday, October 7, at Glebe Elementary School and other schools around the County. Arlington Public Schools (APS) highlighted Glebe Elementary, in recognition of the school’s demonstrated commitment to health, fitness and the environment, as a tribute to the many Glebe students who already walk and bike to school, and to celebrate the success of Glebe’s “walking school bus.”
Launched in 2007, Glebe's walking school bus consists of a group of students who walk to school together each day, accompanied by adults and using a dedicated route with pre-determined “stops” where more students are “picked up” as the bus goes along.
To get ready for the big day, WalkArlington prepared resources for Glebe parents, County cartographers created a customized “Walk and Bike to Glebe Elementary” map, and APS handled school and media outreach.
WalkArlington also provided Glebe with materials for all 450+ students, including Arlington Bike Maps; WalkArlington Walkabouts brochures; kid-friendly bike/pedestrian safety informational flyers, puzzles, games and coloring pages; and bright orange reflective snap wristbands that help kids "be safe and be seen.”
On the day of the event, several parents led the walking school bus – about 75 kids on foot and bicycles – over the 12-block route, arriving at school in time for a school-wide warm-up rally on the playground. Arlington County Board member Mary Hynes joined the walking school bus “passengers” for the entire route and stayed for the festivities, along with APS Superintendent Patrick Murphy and other VIP guests. The media turned out too, with four local TV channels covering the event.
According to Glebe Principal Jamie Borg, out of a total school population of more than 450 students, about 350 – 100 more than usual – walked to school, and about 40 – double the usual number – biked to school on October 7/Walk and Bike to School Day. Many families told her that they plan to make it a monthly event. Most importantly, the kids had a blast and are eager to do it again, as soon as possible!
International Walk to School Day 2008
Arlington joined schools around the world in celebrating International Walk and Bike to School Day 2008 on Wednesday, October 8! Throughout the entire month of October, many Arlington Public Schools staff and PTAs also incorporated walking- and biking-related activities into the curriculum.
On October 8, Arlington highlighted Walk and Bike to School Day activities at Abingdon Elementary School. APS selected Abingdon to be highlighted this year in recognition of the school’s demonstrated commitment to walking and as a tribute to the Abingdon students who already walk and bike to school regularly.
Educational activities and healthy refreshments were provided for participants at rest stops en route and upon arrival at school following the morning "commute."
A rally was held on the track at the school before students headed to class.
County Board members, Arlington Public Schools administrators, and other VIPs, including Ranger Rick, joined the festivities!
Thanks to everyone at Abingdon Elementary School for making Walk and Bike to School Day 2008 so much fun!
International Walk to School Day 2007
Arlington joined schools around the world in celebrating International Walk and Bike to School Day on Wednesday, October 3, 2007! Throughout the entire month of October, many Arlington Public Schools staff and PTAs also incorporated walking- and biking-related activities into the curriculum.
Long Branch Elementary School was highlighted by Arlington Public Schools this year in recognition of the school's long-standing commitment to fitness and as a tribute to the many Long Branch families who regularly walk and bike to school. More than 400 kids in Kindergarten through Grade 5 attend the school.
On a typical day at Long Branch, an impressive 30 kids walk and 24 students bike or scooter to school. On Walk and Bike to School Day, an additional 32 students walked or biked with their families. That makes a total of 86 walkers and bikers out of 419 students, or 21 percent of all Long Branch students who walked or biked to school on October 3!
Walkers and bikers were rewarded for their efforts with healthy snacks set up at four rest stops en route to school, and all received reflective WALKArlington/BikeArlington wristbands on arrival at school.
Thank you Long Branch students, families, faculty, and staff for all you did on October 3 and all you do every day in support of student health and fitness!
Submit Your Story!
Arlington County students: what did your class or school do for Walk and Bike to School Day? Drop an e-mail to info@WalkArlington.com 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!
Here is a story from 2006:
"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
