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!
Share Your Stories!
Arlington students are invited to share their stories and photos of how they participated in Walk and Bike to School Month 2007. 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 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
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 lhassel@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!
