Have Your Student Hoof It For Walk to School Day

Consider using alternative energy to get your kid to school Wednesday morning: his or her own two legs.

Students from over one third of elementary and middle schools in San Mateo County plan on walking to school tomorrow for International Walk to School Day.

In Pacifica, , , , , and are registered to participate alongside schools in Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Daly City, East Palo Alto, Hillsborough, La Honda, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, and Woodside.

According to Robyn Thaw with the San Mateo County Health System, Walk to School Day, or rather walking to school daily, is a great way for kids to stay active.

“And physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today, including the rise of childhood obesity seen nationally,” Thaw said. “Walk to School Day highlights the importance of making streets safe to pedestrians-–young and old-–and benefits the environment by reducing the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles.”

Nationally, more than 3,000 schools are registered to celebrate the day. Events in San Mateo County have been organized by individual school districts and supported by the Get Healthy San Mateo County School Wellness Committee and San Mateo County Office of Education, said Thaw.

Participating Pacifica students can look forward to apples and stickers provided by Sodexho, a food service company the contracts, upon their on-foot arrivals at school Wednesday morning.

For information about safe routes for students to take to school, visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School's website.