On Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 7:45 a.m., students from Ward 6 schools will gather at Lincoln Park (13th and East Capitol Streets SE) for physically distanced-friendly activities, giveaways, and a moment to pay respects to pedestrians and cyclists who have lost their lives in traffic accidents.
Walk-to-School Day is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October. The event is designed to inspire the entire community to come together and promote health and safer routes for students to walk to school.
Enjoy activities for kids, grab a snack on the go, pick up giveaways and “SLOW DOWN” yard signs for their school (thanks to DC’s Department of Transportation), and SAFELY SEE each other in person. Walkers, cyclists, skaters, strollers, scooters and pedestrians are all welcome.
At 8:10 a.m., participants will join a group photo while holding white pinwheels to raise awareness of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities.
In partnership with Greater Greater Washington, W6PSPO asks participants (in person or virtual) to document unsafe spots on their walk to school with a photo, location information and tag #EveryBlockcounts on Instagram and Twitter. You can also email info to everyblockcountsdc@gmail.com.
This year, W6PSPO is excited to collaborate with Walk to School Day events at Thomson Elementary in Ward 2, Truesdell Education Campus in Ward 4, and Ketcham Elementary in Ward 8.
The physically distanced-friendly Lincoln Park Walk to School event will feature a welcome by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D). US Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Deputy Secretary Robin Hutcheson has been invited to make remarks.
The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) will be present to distribute “Slow Down” signs, host pedestrian and cyclist safety activities and giveaways, and from the National Parks Service (NPS), Julie Kutruff and fellow NPS Rangers will distribute giveaways
National Center for Safe Routes to School Director Nancy Pullen-Seufert, will join to support families together with Director FIA Foundation North American Office & United Nations Representative Natalie Draisin and Caitlin Rogger and Nick Sementelli of Greater Greater Washington.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will support safe traffic flow around the park. The Capitol Hill Community Foundation (CHCF) generously supports the event via its mini grant program.
The event is organized by the Ward 6 Public Schools Parent Organization (W6PSPO) in partnership with Greater Greater Washington. Volunteers from participating schools make this annual event possible, including those from Capitol Hill Montessori, Eliot-Hine MS, J.O. Wilson ES, Maury ES, Payne ES, Miner ES, Peabody Early Childhood, School Within School @ Goding, Stuart Hobson MS, Tyler ES, Van Ness ES, Watkins ES and more.
Look out for pinwheels across the city. For more information about the W6PSPO, visit https://w6pspo.org/. Learn more about Walk to School Day at http://www.walkbiketoschool.
