Instead of buckling into car seats or boarding buses, students across the Lake Pend Oreille School District will lace up their shoes and hit the pavement Oct. 7, joining children around the world for Walk & Roll to School Day. 

First held in 1997 in Chicago, Walk & Roll to School Day now draws participation from thousands of schools across the country each October, according to the Walk & Bike to School organization. The event has since become part of a movement to promote year-round safe routes to school. 

Certain elementary schools will provide walking groups for students to begin their walk or bike to school at 7:25 a.m. alongside parents, teachers and community leaders. Parents and guardians seeking to register their children can contact their school. 

Families and friends, as well as middle and high schoolers, are also invited to choose a safe route to walk and bike on together. 

Several factors, including schools being built farther from neighborhoods and the conveniency of driving, may contribute to the decline in students walking or biking to school, said LPOSD Safe Routes to School coordinator Erin Billings. 

Still, Billings said the event yields many benefits for children. 

"They enjoy getting together with their friends and being out, getting fresh air before school," said Billings. 

Taking a safe route to school builds children's independence as they learn with an older sibling or adult about the rules of the road. It also encourages students to start the day with physical activity, arriving at school energized, and ready to begin their studies, said Billings. 

Among the upsides it offers for students, the event allows staff to maintain safe walking routes for the community. 

Whether it's adding another sidewalk or installing more crossing signs, the event helps staff determine where improvements are needed to keep routes safe, especially for students, said Billings. 

Students attending schools without current safe routes to school will still take part in the celebration with a Walk AT School Day, where activities will take place during PE classes or recess. 

With more pedestrians than usual expected near schools, the district encourages drivers to stay alert. Participants are encouraged to do the same by wearing brightly colored clothing or reflective items, avoiding distractions, using sidewalks when available, making eye contact with drivers before crossing, and crossing only at intersections. 

For additional information about International Walk & Roll to School Day or ways to participate, parents and guardians can contact Billings at [email protected].