Walk To School Event Planned At Schools Across California

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — School drop offs can be a danger zone, the source of comedy or frustration for many parents. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, take a breather and walk or bike to school with your child on international Walk/Bike to School Day. Event organizers have been planning the big day at schools across America and the world through their registration website.

On Wednesday, October 4, school districts across California will participate in the “Walk/Bike to School Day” event. In California, over 400 schools have already registered, as have over 4,000 schools nationwide. From Alameda County to Yolo, find out who is coordinating your school's event, or set it up yourself.

In Southern California's Los Angeles County, 77 schools are planning on participating in the international program including in the cities of Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Culver city, Gardena, Los Angeles, Northridge, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, San Pedro, Santa Monica, Van Nuys, Woodland Hill.

Along the coast in Orange County, 23 schools are already organized and ready to go in the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos,Mission Viejo, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Tustin and Villa Park.

Furthermore, schools are also signing up for a regular, monthly Walk to School day. Los Alamitos Unified School District is joining the ranks of those participating in a monthly bike/walk to school day. Francis Hopkinson Elementary has signed on to declare their intentions to Bike and Walk to School.

Find out if your city and school are participating in the international event, here.

According to the Los Alamitos Unified School District, "National Walk To School Day event will kick off the District’s monthly 'Walk/Bike to School' program where students and families will be encouraged to walk or bike to school on a regular basis," the district said in recent release. "This effort aims to create momentum in students choosing to find alternative means to get to school which in turn reduces traffic in and around the neighboring communities during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up."

The “Walk/Bike to School” program promotes increased physical activity and community participation. For students who live within walking distance to school, families may create walking carpools by grouping together and sharing the experience.

"Students that commute to school will be encouraged to park within two blocks of school, in a public area, and join the movement," Los Alamitos Unified School District said.

Walking or biking to school brings communities together for a common purpose, the organizer's website says.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents get one hour or more of physical activity each day. Research suggests that physically active kids are more likely to become healthy, physically active adults, underscoring the importance of developing the habit of regular physical activity early.

For more information about the International Walk to School Day: http://www.walkbiketoschool.or...

Share your walk to school pictures with your local patch editor or on your town's Facebook page.

Los Alamitos Unified School District courtesy photo, Bike/Walk To School Event