Culver City's Walk to School Day Set for Wednesday

Culver City students across the school district will participate in the international Walk to School day Wednesday morning.

At least four Culver City schools have already planned events around the day, which encourages communities to create safe walking routes to schools and also promotes physical fitness for students.

Linwood E. Howe Elementary will take the day to another level and also encourage students to put their own spin on the day and dance to school. Students, parents and teachers will meet at City Hall at 8 a.m. before dancing to the school at 8:15 a.m.

The City of Culver City has also declared October as "Walktober" with an official proclamation encouraging residents to consider the health and safety of the entire community.

Local nonprofit Walk 'n Rollers is also helping schools organize their walk to school activities and has encouraged schools to extend the program beyond just one day.

“Walking and biking to school are terrific ways to promote morning activity among school-age children," said Walk ‘n Rollers founder Jim Shanman. “Additional activity helps academic performance and can improve attendance. Walk to School and Bike to School programs also help reduce traffic and congestion which reduces pollution and increases safety at school sites."

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 to October being 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.

- City News Service also contributed to this report.