FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2021
MEDIA ADVISORY
International Walk to School Day
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Interview and filming opportunities throughout SLO County
Join schools all over the county for an energizing Walk to School Day this Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. The event got its start in 1997 and has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school activities. Today, thousands of schools across America, from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico participate. This year over 50 schools will be participating in San Luis Obispo County.
Specific to this year, students and faculty are asked to get creative with Walk to School Day. Some ideas include: leading a unique celebration during class, taking a coordinated photo, or implementing an advanced walking school bus route. A panel of judges will review schools with creative implementations and announce title trophy holders by the end of the month.
The goal for Safe Routes to School, and by extension Walk to School Day, is to get more children walking and bicycling to school, improve kids’ safety, increase health and physical activity, and reduce traffic congestion and pollution around school zones. In 1969, nearly 50 percent of all children in the United States (and nearly 90 percent of those within a mile of school) walked or bicycled to school. Today, that number has plummeted to fewer than 15 percent.
Opportunities for interviews and footage exist at 15 host locations involved in Walk to School Day. For a complete list of Walk to School Day events and activities, visit rideshare.org/program/safe-routes-to-school/.
DATE: Wednesday, October 6, 2021
TIME: Prior to each school’s opening bell (generally 7:00-9:00 AM)
LOCATIONS: Various locations throughout San Luis Obispo County, organized by school district
Giveaways and healthy snacks are available for children at participating schools that are walking to school for Walk to School Day (WTSD). More than 50 schools across SLO County are participating this year, and 15 of those schools will have special guests in attendance. Special guests include city and county officials, city staff, SLO County Health Department staff, SLOCOG and SLO Regional Rideshare Division staff, Air Pollution Control District (APCD) staff, and Bike SLO County staff – all noted below. For school-specific event details, please reach out to the contact listed. See the online list for the full list of participating schools.
NOTE: In light of ongoing pandemic considerations, SLOCOG/Rideshare staff can coordinate a media appearance at any participating school.
Atascadero USD
Atascadero Fine Arts Academy, w/ Council Member Funk
6100 Olmeda Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422
San Benito Elementary, w/ Mayor Heather Moreno
4300 San Benito Rd, Atascadero, CA 93422
Coast USD
Santa Lucia Middle, w/ County Health Agency Staff
2850 Schoolhouse Ln, Cambria, CA 93428
Lucia Mar USD
Dana Elementary, w/ County Health Agency Staff
920 W Tefft St, Nipomo, CA 93444
Grover Beach Elementary, w/ District 3 Supervisor Ortiz-Legg & Council Member Anna Miller
365 S 10th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433
Harloe Elementary, w/ Council Member Keith Storton and APCD Staff
901 Fair Oaks Ave, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Ocean View Elementary, w/ SLO Regional Rideshare Staff
1208 Linda Dr, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Shell Beach Elementary, w/ Council Member Scott Newton
2100 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
San Luis Coastal USD
Baywood Elementary, w/ Bike SLO County
1330 9th St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93402
Bishop's Peak Elementary School, w/ City of SLO Staff
451 Jaycee Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Del Mar Elementary, w/ Council Member Jennifer Ford & Council Member Dawn Addis
501 Sequoia St, Morro Bay, CA 93442
Monarch Grove Elementary, w/ SLO Regional Rideshare Staff
348 Los Osos Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402
Pacheco Elementary, w/ SLO City Mayor Heidi Harmon
261 Cuesta Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
San Miguel JUSD
Lillian Larsen Elementary, w/ SLOCOG Staff
1601 L St, San Miguel, CA 93451
Sinsheimer Elementary School, w/ SLO City Council Member Andy Pease
2755 Augusta St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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About San Luis Obispo Regional Rideshare
SLO Regional Rideshare is the region’s one-stop-shop for all things transportation. A division of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, SLO Regional Rideshare provides programs for commuters, employers, youth, seniors and visitors. The Safe Routes to School program provides education and encouragement for active transportation among K-12 students, parents, and school staff. The initiative helps make it safe, convenient, and fun for children to walk and bicycle to and from school, while also helping reduce traffic congestion and pollution around school zones. For more information about SLO Regional Rideshare, visit rideshare.org.
About San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) is an association of local governments in the San Luis Obispo County Region. Its members include all seven cities (Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo) as well as unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County. The central purpose of SLOCOG is to examine common regional problems and suggest solutions. SLOCOG provides transportation planning and funding for the region, and serves as a forum for the study and resolution of regional issues. In addition to preparing the region’s long-range transportation plan, SLOCOG plans and provides funding for public transit services, highway and roadway improvements, and other alternative methods of transportation. To learn more about SLOCOG, visit www.slocog.org.
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