St. Cecilia students take the right steps to school.
Students from St. Cecilia Catholic School, their teachers and parents were joined by local politicians (including Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo, left) took part in the Canada-wide Winter Walk Day early Wednesday, Feb. 8.
Staff photo/LISA RAINFORD
St. Cecilia Catholic School students learned just how fun it can be to get to class on foot as they participated in the Canada-wide Winter Walk Day.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 dawned bright and brisk as kids, their parents, teachers and local politicians gathered at two Annette Street churches that served as meeting points - an east and a west location just before 8 a.m.
Wearing colourful hats and carrying a giant banner that read: 'St. Cecilia's Walk to School,' the group made its way to the JK-8 school on the corner of Annette Street and Evelyn Avenue.
St. Cecilia's was one of 500 schools across Canada to participate in Winter Walk Day, said Principal Lorinda Mazza in the schoolyard after the walkers returned to the
"We wanted to make sure our school took part," she told The Villager, adding how important it is for the kids to get active and be healthy.
And, because the walk took place during the Carnaval de Quebec (Jan. 27 to Feb. 12), its mascot 'Bonhomme' made an appearance at St. Cecilia's, along with two Toronto police officers, their German shepherd from the service's K9 Unit and were treated to steaming cups of hot chocolate.
"The main thing is, to get students to school safely either walking or biking," said Katherine Glowacz, active travel school facilitator, of Green Communities Canada.
The benefits of walking to school year-round far outweigh the perceived convenience of driving, said Glowacz. It's a physical activity the entire family can do while providing opportunities to learn about the neighbourhood and important street safety skills, she said.
Winter Walk Day is promoted by Green Communities Canada's Active and Safe Routes to School program. Green Communities Canada is a national association of non-profit organizations that provide innovative, practical and environmental solutions to Canadian households and communities.
A short trip on foot to school by nine families participating in a 'walking school bus' can reduce greenhouse gases by 1,000 kilograms over one year, according to Active and Safe Routes to School program research.
Replacing short car trips by walking improves local air quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions therefore helping Ontarians meet climate change objectives, according to the program.