Slow Down! Local Schools Participating In Walk To School Day

KIRKLAND, WA - You know those signs that say, "Drive like your kids live here"? Well, on Wednesday, that's a good thing to keep in mind. It's national Walk To School Day, and youngsters across the region will hit the streets on foot or bike instead of taking the bus or a ride from mom.

The annual walk-day is promoted by the National Center for Safe Routes to School and is meant to encourage elementary-age kids to partake in healthy behavior.

"Walking and bicycling to school enables children to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while also forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity helps children build strong bones, muscles and joints, and it decreases the risk of obesity. In contrast, insufficient physical activity can contribute to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke," the group says on its website.

So drive carefully Wednesday and look out for extra kids on the streets. Here are the local schools participating in Wednesday's Walk To School Day:

Bellevue

• Ardmore Elementary
• Bennett Elementary
• Enatai Elementary
• Lake Hills Elementary
• Newport Heights Elementary
• Somerset Elementary
• Woodbridge Elementary

Federal Way

• Green Gables Elementary
• Lake Grove Elementary

Kirkland

• Bell Elementary
• Frost Elementary
• Lakeview Elementary
• Rose Hill Elementary

Medina

• Medina Elementary

Mercer Island

• Island Park Elementary

Puyallup

• Carson Elementary

Seattle

• App At Lincoln
• Concord International School
• Graham Hill Elementary
• Lawton Elementary
• Sacajawea Elementary School
• West Woodland Elementary

Image via Renee Schiavone/Patch.com