Thomas Edison PTO Invites Public to 'Walk to School Day'

Thomas Edison School in Port Chester is inviting the public to join them in their participation of the International Walk to School Day on Oct. 9. Last year was the school's second year participating in the event, created to raise awareness of the need for walkable communities. Local government officials, emergency personnel and local media members attended, according to a letter from PTO Vice President Cynthia Oliveros. Read her letter in full here: 

On Wednesday October 9, 2013, we celebrate International Walk to School Day. On behalf of the Thomas Edison School PTO and the Thomas Edison School in Port Chester, (Westchester County)NY , I cordially invite you to join us throughout this event. The event will held at the Thomas Edison School, Rectory Street, Port Chester, NY on Wednesday October , 2013, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
 
Last year Thomas Edison School held it's second annual International Walk to School and we had a wonderful turnout. Local Government, Emergency Personnel and the local media to mention a few joined us at this event. Seeing the children's smiles and faces as they arrived at the school that morning is what made it all worth while. With the support, hard work and dedication of this community, the event was a huge a success.
 
This year the New York State Department of Transportation has also joined us since we are registered in having a Safety Routes to School Program. They have mailed us gifts to hand out to everyone that will be joining us as they arrive at the school that morning. 
 
Organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, Walk to School Day in the USA began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness for the need for walkable communities. In 2000, the event became international when the UK and Canada (both of which had already been promoting walking to school) and the USA joined together for the first International Walk to School Day. Growing interest in participation all over the world led the International Walk to School Committee to shifts its promotion to International Walk to School Month for the entire month of October.

In the USA and Canada, International Walk to School Day galvanizes visibility for walking and bicycling to school. Over time, this event has been part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation - each October. Today, thousands of schools across America and in more than 40 countries worldwide celebrate walking to school every October.

The success of Walk to School Day, as well as continued interest in bicycling to school, created a desire for a national event focused on bicycling to school. This goal became reality in 2012, with the first National Bike to School Day taking place on May 9, in coordination with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month.

Although Walk to School Day is focused more on walking and Bike to School Day is focused more on bicycling, both days welcome and encourage all forms of active transportation to school.

There are many reasons to celebrate—safer and more accessible streets , healthier habits, and cleaner air to name just a few.
 
We look forward to you all joining us once again in celebration with our community and our children.
 
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to email or call me at CYNNUT@hotmail.comor (914) 469-8029.