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Schools

Dearborn Plans Participation in National Walk to School Day

Dearborn Public Schools students are encouraged to walk or bike to school, encouraging healthy behavior while helping to alleviate traffic problems.

Communities across the country are planning special events to recognize National Walk to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Chicago was the site of the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in 1997, according to www.walktoschool.org.

By 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states joined nearly three million walkers around the world for International Walk to School Day. The reasons for walking included concern for safe and improved streets, healthier habits and cleaner air.

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Dearborn Gets On Board

Dearborn Public Schools has joined the movement, declaring Oct. 5 Walk to School Day. More than just for health reasons, Dearborn Superintendent Brian Whiston said that encouraging walking or biking to school will help eliminate traffic deadlocks in and around the high schools.

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, for one, has taken the challenge to a new level.

Physical education teacher Mike Vigilante said that kids who walk or ride their bikes to school Wednesday morning will receive an "IWalk" sticker. Also, at 10 a.m., the entire school will walk two laps on their outdoor track, showing school spirit and celebrating healthy behavior.

Is it Safe?

We asked Dearborn Patch readers on Facebook if they let their kids walk to school. Here's what some of them said:

  • Linda Hawli Charara: No mine don't, because I'm afraid to let them ... too many psychos out there!
  • Naela Youssef My child walks to school..but not alone..Grandparents walk them :-)
  • Melissa Ruch We walked home from Sacred Heart starting the day I was in middle school (i'm the oldest of 3). I also walked from DHS home my first two years in high school. The kids I babysit walk, I go get them from school, but they only live 4 houses away!
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