(Aurora, Ontario, September 30, 2016) – Activate Aurora will celebrate International Walk to School Day (iWALK) at Rick Hansen Public School in Aurora on October 5. The school is promoting physical literacy and healthy active living by encouraging students who normally travel to school by car to walk or bicycle. The majority of the school’s students and their families are expected to participate.
An interactive information booth on-site will allow parents and teachers to register for the newly-launched Activate Aurora campaign to make Aurora ‘Canada’s Most Active Community’ and have their activity count towards the town’s collective total. Representatives from York Regional Police and York Region’s Healthy Schools Program will be on hand to speak with parents and students on issues around healthy living and pedestrian safety. York Region representatives will also be attending an International Walk to School celebration event at John McCrea Public School in the City of Markham on October 5, 2016.
iWALK is a highlight of International Walk to School Month, an annual event to celebrate active transportation. Key themes promoted during iWALK include: increasing daily physical activity, improving safety, enhancing the environment, reducing levels of crime, developing community cohesion, promoting social interaction, and reducing traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools.
Rick Hansen Public School is the first Activate Aurora-designated school, and recognized leader in promoting healthy, active living which includes encouraging students to walk and wheel to school. As the proportion of journeys to school made by car increases, the daily activity level of children has correspondingly decreased. Travelling to school on foot or on bicycle can routinely add back needed activity into the day.
Activate Aurora is a cross-sector collaboration of community leaders working to increase physical literacy awareness and activity levels in Aurorans of all ages and abilities. The 3-year project to make Aurora ‘Canada’s Most Active Community’ is partially funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and seeks to increase the physical activity level in at least half of the town’s population by 2020.
For more information or to join the campaign to make Aurora ‘Canada’s Most Active Community’ visit www.activateaurora.com.
Activate Aurora celebrates International Walk to School Day at Rick Hansen Public School along with York Regional Police and York Region’s Healthy Schools Program.
8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
from the York Region Healthy Schools Program.
Media Note: Students and parents will be available for interviews along with school administration, York Regional Police, York Region and Activate Aurora representatives.