Santee High Schools Participate in International Walk to School Day

Wednesday is International Walk to School Day, which government and school officials hope will raise awareness of the health benefits of getting to class in some way other than by car. In Santee, West Hills and Santana High School will be participating in the Walk, Ride, and Roll to School Challenge hosted by SANDAG.

Locally, the San Diego Association of Governments is encouraging children to walk or bike to campus. Doing so provides exercise and improves safety by reducing traffic congestion, according to SANDAG.

"Kudos to all the students who are adopting healthy habits and doing their part to minimize our region's carbon footprint," said SANDAG Chairman Jack Dale, who's also a Santee councilman. "When children walk or bike to school, the entire region benefits because it reduces traffic congestion and helps combat childhood obesity."

The organization -- which represents local government agencies -- is sponsoring the weeklong Walk, Ride, and Roll to School Challenge in which students at 47 campuses are competing to win up to $1,000 in school supplies.

Organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, Walk to School Day began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness for the need for walkable communities. Canada and the United Kingdom joined the effort in 2000 for International Walk to School Day, leading October to be declared as International Walk to School Month.

Thousands of schools across the U.S. and more than 40 other nations worldwide celebrate walking to school every October.

Information is online at walkbiketoschool.org.

-City News Service