The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Hey parents and caregivers! If you have children in school, get out your favorite walking shoes! On Wednesday, October 8 join hundreds of schools across Canada and across the world in a special event that will see parents and students leave the family vehicle at home in favor of getting to school on their own two feet. Every weekday, many students are DRIVEN the short distance to their neighborhood schools. The result? Two-thirds of children and youth are not active enough to lay a solid foundation for future health and well-being. Our air is polluted from vehicle emissions, and traffic congestion around schools is a real hazard. According to the National Coordinator of Go for Green's Active & Safe Routes To School, "So many kids are being driven to school these days creating all kinds of problems including: unsafe traffic congestion around schools, air pollution, and a lack of exercise for children to name a few. There is also a loss of sense of community and security when people quit walking their neighborhood streets." It is hoped that International Walk To School Day will begin to reverse the habit of driving to school Ð a habit that has clearly become ingrained. In Canada, neighborhood schools report more than 50% of the student body are frequently chauffered to school by parents. One quarter of Canadian children are overweight, and that proportion has been increasing. Some of the health risks of inactivity include earlier onset heart disease, osteoporosis, type two diabetes, and high blood pressure. But there is a solution! ACTIVE transportation Ð like walking, biking or in-line skating can help improve health. See 'Traffic' P.# Con't from P.# Additional pluses are a healthier environment and safer communities. Traffic congestion is reduced and neighborhood life is revitalized by the increased presence of people on the streets. A solution for parents concerned about the safety of their children walking to school is the "Walking School Bus" concept. Parents join in the fun by organizing a walking school bus, which simply involves walking a group of neighborhood children to school. This allows parents to take turns in sharing responsibility for the safety of their children. A "Walking School Bus" contest will take place for all parents and children in the Flin Flon area. All participants will be eligible to enter their group for a chance to win a great prize. Walking School Bus forms will be available at participating Flin Flon middle schools, or by calling Christa McIntyre, NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority at 687-9318. On Wednesday, October 8 and everyday, get your children to school by using ACTIVE transportation. Join thousands of Canadians in the celebration and support for the reduction of climate change, cleaner air, healthier students, and safer streets. On Wednesday, October 8, get out your walking shoes and use ACTIVE transportation to get to school!3/10/03
