[Archived] Alexandria Celebrates Walk to School Day

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

Alexandria Celebrates
Walk to School Day

Alexandria is celebrating Walk To School Day on Nov. 14 at 7:15 am when 520 students, numerous school staff and community volunteers will parade through the streets to Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology, 3600 Commonwealth Ave. At the school, a festive atmosphere and special costumed characters will add to the celebration. Congressman James Moran and Mayor William Euille will be on hand to address the student body, family members and community volunteers. Other city officials will also be present.

Principal Darren Reed is enthusiastic about the event and said, “What a terrific way for students, families and school staff to show collective support for safety concerns and the importance of good health.”

On Walk To School Day, all students who can safely walk are being encouraged to gather at one of three locations near the school. Locations are: Lynhaven Gateway Park (at Lynhaven Dr. and Wesmond Dr.), Mt. Jefferson Park (at Ashby St. and Commonwealth Ave.), and Hume Spring Park (on Reed Ave.). Parents who must drive their children to school are encouraged to park near one of the City parks and walk with their children. Students normally arriving at school by bus will be taken by bus to the Freedom Way Church at the corner of Glebe Rd. and Commonwealth Ave.

Walk To School Day is an international effort that promotes children engaging in regular physical activity to stay strong and healthy. The event also raises awareness about the need to create and maintain safe places for children to walk within their neighborhood, especially on trips to and from school, and the need to reinforce children’s traffic safety skills.

The Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology was chosen because the surrounding area has many safe routes children can take to school. Over 70% of the student body already walks to school daily. This event, organized by the Alexandria Health Department in conjunction with Alexandria City Public Schools, several City agencies and local organizations, is the kickoff for the Safe Routes To School initiative.

For more information, call Katherine Benjamin at 703.838.4400 ext. 322 or Rachael Kennedy at 703.838.4400 ext. 271.

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