Walk to School Day 2013: Several Local Schools Participating

Before fall temperatures get out of hand, local students, teachers and community leaders will have a chance to walk to school to promote exercise, healthy living and walkable communities.

International Walk to School Day is Oct. 9. Last year, 4,281 schools participated in the event. The event started in Chicago in the late 1990s and is sponsored by the Partnership for a Walkable America.

Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi said the $50 million Woodbridge Bicycle and Pedestrian Network will help children walking to school.

"The Network will also connect families to local churches, parks, library, and shopping," Principi said. "The Network will advance our vision of a New Woodbridge by facilitating the development of smart growth, mixed use development, including a walkable community."

Does your child walk to school regularly? If not, why not? Tell us in the comments!

Four local schools are included in the list of participating International Walk to School sites. Other schools may be involved. Check with your school for more information.

The four schools listed are Antietam Elementary, Enterprise Elementary, Kilby Elementary and Lake Ridge Elementary. Though not listed on the International Walk to School site, Featherstone Elementary students are also walking to school. Click on the school name for more info and contact information.

Drivers should be especially cautious around schools Wednesday, with the expected increase in students walking and biking to school.

Wednesday’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. The high temperature Wednesday will be in the mid to upper 60s.