Derby Elementary Students to Walk to School on Oct. 5

DERBY, CT — Students at Irving School in Derby will participate in the annual International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5, officials announced.

The event runs from 8:15 a.m. to noon, and is organized by Safe Kids Worldwide and program sponsor FedEx.

The two have developed Walk This Way, a multifaceted program designed to enhance safety for children when walking to school. Irving school is working in coordination with Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital and volunteers from FedEx in presenting this program.

Representatives from Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital and school staff will be on hand on Oct. 5, conducting walking safety activities throughout the morning, including a "walk" across the street, and fun Safe Kids activities such as “Put on the Breaks” and “Foggy Conditions.” Local fire, police and government officials are expected as well.

Each year, nearly 500 child pedestrians are killed in the United States. In 2014 alone, more than 16,000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries.