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Mountain View is on the move for international walk to school day

Today kids and their parents walked and biked to school to mark the beginning of a new project encouraging active transportation to and from school

Students did a little puddle jumping on the way to school today for International Walk to School day.

Today, Oct. 2, kids in Simcoe and Muskoka district school boards were encouraged to walk and wheel on the journey to and from school to launch a project called On the Move.

One of the launch events for On the Move took place at Mountain View Elementary School this morning where several kids arrived by foot, scooter, or bike.

At an assembly inside the schools, every class crammed into the gym to hear from Mayor Brian Saunderson, their Vice Principal Colin McIntosh, Superintendent Michael Giffin, the parent council, and the health unit about the benefits of walking or wheeling to school.

Parent council co-chair Lindsay Cook said she’s always glad to see parents walking with their children to school, and told the kids it’s a special part of a parent’s day.

“My challenge to you is to keep parents active,” said Cook.

Mayor Brian Saunderson also encouraged the kids to keep walking and thanked them for their help in making Collingwood awesome and clean.

Dr. Lisa Simon, associate medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, explained the health benefits and social benefits of daily exercise and spoke more about the initiative On the Move.

The project is a joint effort between 11 municipalities, the Environment Network, the health unit, local school boards, and 20 schools to encourage active transportation to and from school.

The project will also connect with local municipalities with recommendations and input on pedestrian and cycling infrastructure around the school to make sure it’s a safe area for kids to walk and cross streets.

According to a press release from the health unit, the Green Communities Canada through the Ontario Active School Travel Fund has provided $110,600 to the On the Move project.

To learn more about the Simcoe Muskoka’s Active School Travel Project call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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