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Schools Get Ready To WalkSchools across Bass Coast Shire are getting ready for Walk to School Day on Wednesday 24 October. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 12th October 2007 - Back to News Walk to School Day is run each year by VicHealth, to promote health and fitness in children. Council’s Walking School Bus Facilitator, Don Turner, said Council is encouraging schools, parents and children to take part.
"Walk to School Day does have a good health message," agreed Mr Turner.
"As well as keeping fit, when more children walk or ride to school, there is less traffic around the school and that means less pollution. Hopefully a day like this will make more people aware of the impact traffic does have around our schools."
Mr Turner hopes that local parents will get behind the event.
"Parents will be seeing notices in their school newsletters and teachers will be talking to their students, to try and get everyone involved," said Mr Turner.
"I know some schools are holding healthy breakfasts for the walkers, while other schools are organising special lunch time activities to promote health and fitness.
"We’d really like parents to encourage their children to walk to school on Wednesday 24 October. You might even like to walk with them," said Mr Turner.
"If you live too far away from the school to walk the whole distance, maybe you could try parking the car a few streets away and walking the last bit."
VicHealth awards prizes to schools, based on the percentage of children who walk to school on the day. Bass Coast Shire Council is supporting the event through the Walking School Bus Program.
"Each school will be presented with a ball for the class with the highest participation rate," said Mr Turner.
"We really hope a day like this can raise awareness of the benefits of walking to school.
"It would be great to see more children walking or cycling to school more often.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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