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Health & Fitness

Happy International Walk to School Day!

International Walk to School Day, Wednesday October 5th. West Mercer and Lakeridge Elementary Schools are participating.

On Mercer Island, we are fortunate to have many opportunities for children to grow up healthy, strong and well educated. We have a renowned , , , and wonderful and that are either within an easy walk or a short district-provided bus ride.

Wednesday, October 5th, is International Walk to School Day (IWSD). is celebrating it with special events from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. for kids who walk, bus or ride their bikes to school. will participate tomorrow, Oct. 6.

There are huge benefits to getting out of the house and walking, biking or bussing to school. Clearly there are the health benefits: kids get a little physical exercise and if they do it both ways that doubles; they get some fresh air which chases away early morning sleep and helps prepare them for learning; and they are helping to reduce automotive emissions and fouled air for everyone. There are great social benefits: kids who walk, bike or ride the bus have greater opportunities for social interaction; they dramatically reduce the number of cars on the road, fewer cars equal safer streets for everyone; and their world slows down just a little bit allowing them to catch their breath before the “next big thing”. But perhaps most importantly they build a little self reliance everyday that will help make them more able to cope in an ever complex world as they mature.

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Parents feel more comfortable when they practice the route a few times with their kids and they know their child is walking in groups along these known routes. It helps to occasionally re-fresh the safety tips such as walk on sidewalks, make eye contact with drivers, cross the street at cross-walks and stick to the walking plan (what time they will be home, who they are walking with, where they are walking etc….). If you have any hesitations about your child’s safety and capability, join them on the walk, teach them how and enjoy the interaction along the way (see the Safe Walking Tips for Parents).

For information about Lakeridge’s event on Thursday, Oct. 6, contact Colin Brandt at colin@brandtdesigninc.com.

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For information about today's West Mercer’s event, contact Christina Hendelman christinahendelman@yahoo.com

The following are walking and biking busses for West Mercer families on that day:

Downtown-Mercerdale Park:

Walking Bus driver is Maria Sommerfield: sommda@live.com

Departure time is 8:30 am in front of the Thrift Store.

Lid Park:

This is a Biking Bus! Biking Bus driver is Caroline Hughes: chriscarolinehughes@comcast.net

Departure time is 8:25 am by the pavilion/playground across from the baseball fields.

First Hill:

Walking Bus driver is Carla Barokas: carlabarokas@hotmail.com

Departure time is 8:20 am at the corner of 72nd Ave. SE and SE 32nd. ()

Madrona Crest: 

Walking Bus drivers are Jane Mackinnon and Don Sutkus: don@sutkus.com

Departure time is 8:35 at 3912 86th Ave SE in front of the red panels near the street.

East Mercer Way:

Walking Bus driver is Kim Klein kckl16@yahoo.com

Departure time is 8:25 at the corner of SE 40th and 97th Ave. SE

Mercer Island South End:

This is a Biking Bus! Biking Bus driver is Elizabeth Crossnichol:

elizabeth_crossnichol@yahoo.com. Departure time is 8:20 at .

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