Winter Walk Day (WWD) is an annual celebration of winter walking on the first Wednesday of February.
This year, Winter Walk Day is on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, and the start of Winter Walk Month. St. Angela Merici CES celebrates winter walking and reminds students and families that active travel doesn’t need to stop when the weather gets colder.
Tips for Winter Walking
Walking to school in winter not only benefits students physical and mental health, well-being and academic performance, it’s also fun.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe and enjoy winter walks to school:
- Dress for the weather. Wear layers. Don’t forget your hat and mitts.
- Protect your feet. Wear warm socks and winter boots. They will protect your feet from snow, rain and cold and have good grips.
- Be visible. Wear bright clothes, stay on the sidewalks and make sure cars can see you when you cross the road.
- Allow a little more time. Prepare your winter gear the night before, and give yourself a little more time to walk to school.
- Try walking like a penguin. It’s fun and practical.
- Enjoy the snow. Catch snowflakes, talk about what you love most about the winter.
- Obey road signs. The seasons change but road safety rules remain. Stop at roads and crosswalks. Cross with a crossing guard where possible. Look out for cars.
Use active travel wherever possible. We encourage families all year round, wherever possible to take the school bus or school transportation, or to choose active travel, like walking or biking.
Active school travel benefits student’s mental health, well-being and academic performance, builds social connections and reduces traffic and pollution around schools.
It’s never too early to start to teach road safety. Your child will become a safe, responsible and independent pedestrian by experience and practice. Starting them as young as kindergarten will equip them with the skills they need to walk on their own in all seasons at an earlier age.
If you are driving, please follow the road rules. Remember that our school zones are busy with students and families. It is essential that we all follow the rules to ensure student safety.
Consider parking near the school and walking the rest of the way (obeying all neighbourhood parking rules).
Obey all speed limits and road traffic signs in school zones.
Focus on the road and watch for crossing guards and students crossing the road.