Michelle Wilson, UCDS Executive Assistant, urges all who are able to take advantage of this beautiful fall weather and walk to school tomorrow! -Ed.

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Did you know that the first Wednesday in October is National Walk to School Day? The goal of this day is to raise awareness and support for the health, community and environmental benefits of regularly walking or biking to school.

Living in Seattle, many of us understand the frustrations of getting around town in a car. Public transportation, while a fantastic option for many, can still have its share of complications and aggravation. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could all walk or bike to school every day?

Several members of the UCDS community already choose to walk or bike to campus on a regular basis. Every morning at drop off, rain or shine, we are always delighted to see our students arrive by bike or on foot (sometimes accompanied by their four-legged family members!).

When asked about her daily walkable commute to work, one UCDS staff member remarked, “It is the best way to start the day. I love getting a bit of exercise in the morning and feeling more in tune with my neighborhood. Walking also allows me to have more face-to-face interactions with people on the sidewalk. A friendly nod or a passing smile can mean a lot.”

In the spirit of National Walk to School Day, UCDS families who live in close enough proximity to the school might consider leaving their vehicles at home on Wednesday morning and enjoying the beautiful fall weather on foot. Here is an idea to make the trek even more enjoyable! Does your child have a friend who lives further away from school? How about inviting that friend over on Wednesday morning and taking the walk together? The leaves are changing color, the air is brisk, and a morning stroll to UCDS might be the perfect way to spend some quality time together out of your car!