CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NEWS RELEASE
2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546
NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456
FOR RELEASE: October 8, 2013
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Connecticut Safe Routes to School Program Encourages Schools to Participate

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation is encouraging Connecticut schools to join schools from around the world in celebrating International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, 2013.

      International Walk to School Day is aimed at bringing awareness to the need for healthy, walkable communities.  On this day community leaders, parents, teachers and students can walk together and bring about a permanent change for safe, active transportation to your schools and in your communities.

      Schools all over Connecticut will celebrate Walk to School Day with hundreds of students walking and rolling to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders. 

      Events are being organized by local volunteers and school officials, with additional support from the CT Safe Routes to School Program.  Events usually begin with kids, parents and community leaders walking from their homes or other designated drop off sites to school, along with special school activities associated with the walk. Register your event at www.walkbiketoschool.org to get some event planning ideas and incentives.

      In addition, the CT Safe Routes to School Program is working with schools across the state, offering free assistance to schools seeking to develop or expand walking and biking opportunities for students in their communities. SRTS programs help identify what keeps kids from making the choice to walk or bike, and then develop strategies to change the environment and culture.

For additional information, please contact the CT Safe Routes to School Team at info@walkitbikeitct.org.

October is International Walk to School month. Again, register your event at www.walkbiketoschool.org and get event ideas for not only for Walk to School Day on October 9th, but throughout the month of October.

You are welcomed and encouraged to contact the SRTS coordinator, Sharon Okoye, at sharon.okoye@ct.gov to have your event story and photos featured on Connecticut’s SRTS Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CTSafeRoutestoSchool.

Get involved and let’s make it a record year for safe walking and bicycling to school in Connecticut!

Program information can be found on the following websites:

Connecticut Safe Routes to School:                 www.walkitbikeitct.org

International Walk to School in the USA         www.walkbiketoschool.org           
National Center for Safe Routes to School     www.saferoutesinfo.org