London, ON – Tomorrow is International Walk to School Day, iWalk 2014 and the Middlesex-London Health Unit is joining its partners in encouraging families across the region to leave the car or minivan at home and use active transportation to get to school. Coming near the start of the in motion™ Physical Activity Community Challenge currently underway in London and Middlesex County, iWalk 2014 is a great way for youth and families to log activity minutes. Walking, cycling, skateboarding, scootering, rollerblading, even strolling to the bus stop can help our community to become Canada’s healthiest.

The need to become more active is clear. In its most recent annual report on physical activity, Active Healthy Kids Canada measured how Canadian children and youth compared to those from 14 other countries; the report gave grades of D- (12th of 15) for physical activity and D (11th of 15) for active transportation. In an effort to encourage their communities to be more active, many schools in London and Middlesex County are hosting activities today and throughout the month of October.

“Childhood obesity and inactivity are growing concerns in our community and many others across Ontario and the country. Using human-powered transportation to get to and from school every day is an excellent way to start addressing this challenge,” says Emily Hill, Public Health Nurse with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “iWalk 2014 encourages families to take that first step in getting their children on a path to improved health.”

School Travel Planning is also a key component of iWalk 2014. Several schools will undertake this planning this year, supported by Active & Safe Routes to School, a national movement promoting human-powered transportation to school. Locally, a tri-county steering committee, with representation from municipalities in Middlesex-London, and Elgin and Oxford counties, as well as school boards, police, public health and environmental sectors, oversees the development of local active transportation projects and facilitates the implementation of School Travel Plans in local neighbourhoods.

As part of iWalk2014 activities at Clara Brenton Public School, students who use active transportation will be greeted by the school mascot, then add their name to a large iWalk banner. Further activites will take place during the morning assembly.

Note: Clara Brenton Public School is located at 1025 St. Croix Avenue in London. Morning assembly begins at 9:30 a.m. in the gymnasium. Representatives from the Health Unit, London Block Parent Program, and Middlesex-London in motion™ will be in attendance. Media representatives planning to attend Wednesday morning’s event should check in with the school office upon their arrival.

Media contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Emily Hill, Public Health Nurse, Middlesex-London Health Unit