Students Hit The Pavement In Record Numbers On "International Walk To School Day"

For the third year in a row, Lakewood Catholic Academy (LCA) participated in the International Walk to School Day event on Wednesday, October 3. A record 540 LCA students, many joined by parents and siblings, enjoyed a beautiful morning walk or bike ride to school along with students across the country and around the world.

As students arrived to school on Wednesday, they were met by event organizers and parent volunteers who passed out event stickers to all walkers or bikers. Participants were also entered into raffles for prizes like pedometers, Movbands and books, donated by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s Wellness Institute, Movable, Inc. and the school’s volunteer network, the Saints Service Organization (SSO).

Students were encouraged and inspired to participate prior to the event by three faculty members, including Principal Mike Fletcher, who took an over 17-mile cross-town trek from their homes on the east side to the school in Lakewood on Friday, September 28. After arriving to school, the faculty walkers were greeted by a student rally during which they shared the day’s experiences, held a Cleveland trivia contest and awarded prizes that they had purchased along the way.

International Walk to School day is an annual event that promotes physical activity, teaches safe pedestrian and bicycling skills, highlights the walkability of a city like Lakewood, reduces traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools and encourages family time. 

Event Chairperson Marianne Quasebarth said of the event, “LCA is fortunate to be located in a very ‘walkable’ city, and hopefully this event will inspire more parents and students to walk or bike in, especially as long as the nice weather holds out!”

Lakewood Catholic Academy is a private, Catholic, co-educational elementary school in Lakewood serving students from preschool age through grade eight.

For further information, please contact Mary Ann Campbell, LCA Director of Advancement, at (216) 521-0559 ext. 3041 or visit the school’s website at www.lakewoodcatholicacademy.com.