Photo: Youcef Chenzer on Unsplash.com

From Cook County SHIP and Public Health and Human Services - September 29, 2025

National Walk to School Day is just around the corner!

On Wednesday, October 8, all students, families, and community members are invited to kick off their day with a healthy and fun walk to school in celebration of this national event.

This is the only Walk to School event held during the fall season and features four “Walking School Bus” routes in Grand Marais, leading to both Cook County Schools and Great Expectations School.

If your student usually rides to school, consider arriving a little early and joining one of the Walking School Buses from the following starting locations:

• Cook County Community Center – 7:40 a.m. departure
• Cook County Courthouse – 7:40 a.m. departure
• Birchwood Apartments – 7:30 a.m. departure
• County Road 7 & 7th Ave. East – 7:40 a.m. departure

Students and community members are welcome to join the group along the route or at any of the designated starting points.

“Did you know that walking to school improves students’ ability to learn? Studies have shown that physical activity stimulates brain function and supports better academic performance,” said Kristina Campbell Mattson, State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator. “Plus, it’s a fun and easy way for children to get their recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.”

This event is one of many initiatives led by the local Safe Routes to School Committee, which is committed to making it safer and easier for students to walk and bike to school. The Walking School Bus routes utilize existing sidewalks, many of which were constructed as a result of Safe Routes to School planning, to improve community connectivity and safety.

Cook County Safe Routes to School (SRTS) strives to improve the health of kids and our community by making walking and bicycling to school safer, easier, and more enjoyable.

For more information about Safe Routes to School,  Walk to School Day, or to volunteer please contact SHIP Coordinator, Kristina Mattson, at 218-264-9129 or [email protected] or sign up via Sign Up Genius  https://tinyurl.com/GMWalktoschool

This work is supported by the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership/Minnesota Department of Health through Healthy Northland/ Cook County Public Health