October 4th is International Walk to School (IWALK) Day

 

NEWMARKET – York Region will be one of many communities in Ontario and around the world participating in IWALK - International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 4th, 2006. 
 
This year, over 100 local schools across York Region are registered for this popular event which encourages students and families to use active, rather than vehicular, transportation whenever possible.

 

When: Wednesday, October 4th, 2006 (IWALK Week is October 2-6, 2006)

 

Where:   Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School
 251 Melville Avenue, Vaughan
Principal: Mr. Opiyo Oloya

 

What: This school has been chosen as the media school for this event. Students, families and staff have planned special activities to promote walking more and driving less.

 

Event: 

• 5:00 a.m. - Mr. Oloya will leave his home to begin his 27 km marathon run to school
• Students who accept Mr. Oloya's challenge will use only active means to get to school,  instead of being driven
• 8:25 a.m. - Students will wait for Mr. Oloya's arrival at Piazza Delia Plaza (20 Cranston Park Avenue, corner of Cranson Park Avenue & McNaughton Road)
• 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Mr. Oloya will meet his cheering students at the Piazza Delia Plaza and together they will participate in a celebratory walk/run to school

 

• In an effort to challenge his students to walk to school on IWALK Day, Mr. Oloya has run from his home to school for the past three years on IWALK Day.  The result has been 100% participation from the students
• IWALK is part of York Region's larger, ongoing efforts to encourage students and their families to use active transportation including walking, biking and in-line skating whenever possible
• This year 118 York Region schools are registered in IWALK events
• In 2005, 1098 schools in Ontario registered for IWALK. This year 1500 schools are expected to participate
• IWALK is suitable for all schools.  Even schools who have a large number of bussed students can offer alternative physical activities at school during this day and week
• York Region is working in partnership with the school community to find creative ways to fit physical activity into every child's school day
 
For more information on International Walk to School Day or other health-related issues, contact York Region Health Services Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653

 

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Media Contact: Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson, York Region Health Services
 Phone:  (905) 830-4444, ext. 4016 or After-hours Pager (905) 830-3302
 Email: jennifer.mitchellemmerson@york.ca