Schools across Donegal are being asked to take up the challenge of ‘Walk to School Week’ this week.
The initiative aims to celebrate walking, active transport, and sustainable solutions to congestion outside schools around Ireland.
Walk to School Week is facilitated in nearly 500 schools, 21 of which are in County Donegal, directly by Green-Schools Travel Officers and in almost 2,000 more schools awarded previously for their sustainable and active travel efforts.
Green-Schools Travel Officers will be busy working directly with schools this week promoting active travel, carrying out walkability audits, and delivering climate workshops in schools.
The programme offers a range of resources to support schools at primary and secondary level, and takes into account the reality that walking the full distance to school is not always possible, with Park & Stride an alternative that is also encouraged. The highlight of the week is Walk on Wednesday (WOW), when schools are encouraged to record the number of students and staff walking or park & striding to school, and be in with a chance to win some prizes for their school. It is also an opportunity to put Donegal on the county leaderboard for the week.
Allison Phillips, Manager of the Green-Schools Travel Programme: “Walk to School Week is about celebrating what’s great about walking, wheeling, or parking & striding to school: more time for families together in the morning; social time and independence for young people before school; and students arriving to school happier and more alert. But we do need everyone’s help in these initiatives: Drivers, please slow down outside schools, and park responsibly, being mindful of young people and those with accessibility requirements. Finally, turn off your engine when parked to protect young lungs and the air we all breathe. This helps to create a happy, healthier, front of school environment.”
