Melrose schools celebrate Massachusetts Walk and Bike to School Day on May 7, 2014

Melrose, MA (May 12, 2014) – Melrose elementary and middle schools joined hundreds of schools from across the Commonwealth to celebrate Massachusetts Walk and Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.

Hundreds of Melrose elementary and middle school students and family members walked and rolled to school last Wednesday.  Thank you to principals, PTO’s, school nurses, Chartwells and all others that helped make the day such a success!

Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

Walk to School Day is a collaboration between MA Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program which is federally funded by the Federal Highway Division. The program is designed to create safer streets, promote physical activity, and build sustainable environments in over 170 communities throughout Massachusetts. Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield represents 2 of 52 communities across the Commonwealth grant funded to promote healthy eating and active living for youth and adults.

For additional information, please visit these websites:

 Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield                            www.MiMmelrosewakefield.com

Mass in Motion (statewide)                                         www.mass.gov/massinmotion

Massachusetts Safe Routes to School                      www.mass.gov/massdot/saferoutes

Walk to School Day in the USA                                 www.walkbiketoschool.org                

National Center for Safe Routes to School                www.saferoutesinfo.org

International Walk to School Day                               www.iwalktoschool.org

About Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield, a Program of the City of Melrose and Town of Wakefield Health Departments:

Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield works locally to increase opportunities for Melrose and Wakefield residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. Melrose and Wakefield are among 52 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program.  Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield is working to support the implementation of Safe Routes to School, Healthy Market Program, Access to Farmers Markets, Healthy Dining Program, and improving school nutrition initiatives that will make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents.