Mayo schools ready for Walk to School Week

BEST FOOT FORWARD Pupils from Clogher NS, Claremorris, taking part in a previous Walk to School Week. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

Schools across the county are this week taking part in Green-Schools’ national ‘Walk to School’ week, the ninth annual celebration of walking to school, which runs until May 19.
The project hopes to encourage students, families and teachers to enjoy walking to school and to focus on continuing to journey to school on foot into the summer months – and all year round.
Green-Schools National Walk to School Week is a countrywide initiative that will result in thousands of pupils, their parents and teachers walking to and from school to celebrate the environmental, health, social and financial benefits of active travel on the school journey.  
Building on the success of last year’s campaign, Green-Schools hopes that schools will help it surpass last year’s figure of 35,000 people walking to school, on National WOW (Walk on Wednesday) Day on Wednesday, May 17. The week will also be an opportunity for schools to try other modes of travel, including cycling, scooting, Park ‘n’ Stride, carpooling and travelling by bus. Westport Smarter Travel will promote a number of events including ‘Walkable Westport,’ whereby pupils will time how long it takes to walk to school from certain locations. The Westport Smarter Travel mascot ‘Sir Walk-a-lot’ will be in town to greet everyone walking to school. Lots of schools are also launching there WOW days during this week including Richmond NS, Crossmolina who are travelling in three special walking buses to school.
Green-Schools National Walk to School Week is one of the most important action awareness weeks in the Irish school calendar and is the only one of its kind in Ireland that promotes active and sustainable travel on the journey to school.
Eva McIntyre and Laura Dixon, Green-Schools Travel Officers, stated that: “Green-Schools is committed to promoting sustainable travel options, including walking, on the journey to school as a real alternative to the car. Walking to school is a great way to be active during the day as well as reducing traffic congestion at the school gates.
“Schools in Mayo area have really shown that they know how to make their school journeys greener and healthier this year by participating in this special week of awareness and action. The work these schools have done in promoting walking during National Walk to School Week is a real step towards making positive long-term changes to the way children in Mayo area travel to school, making it a better environment for everyone.”