PRESS RELEASE

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) invites school-aged children and their families to participate in Long Beach Walk to School Week, taking place starting today, March 18 through March 22. Long Beach Walk to School Week emphasizes the importance of increasing physical activity, pedestrian safety, and relieving traffic congestion near school zones. 

“Long Beach Walk to School Week offers Long Beach students and their families the opportunity to start new lifelong healthy habits that will keep them walking safely all year long,” said Mayor Rex Richardson.  

This year’s theme is Walking with Sunshine, which highlights the importance of staying visible to cars by wearing bright colored clothing or reflective gear when walking. It also underscores the importance of waking up when the sun rises and starting the day with intentional body movement. The Health Department has partnered with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) to provide the community with materials and resources promoting physical activity and walking safely. Long Beach Walk to School Week is organized by the Health Department’s Healthy Active Long Beach and the Walk and Roll Long Beach programs in partnership with the Long Beach Police Department, LBUSD and other community partners. 

“We’re excited to celebrate another year of walking to school,” said Director of Health and Human Services Alison King. “Walking is great for both physical and mental health; starting your day by walking with friends can help build a strong sense of community.” 

Activities that will take place during Long Beach Walk to School Week aim to build connections between families, schools and the neighboring community; build healthy habits; and increase awareness of pedestrian safety, such as organized group walks, walks with the school principal, and sharing Sunshine activities, which give students the opportunity to share what brightens their day and brighten a friend’s day with a positive message.  

During this fun-filled week, community members are encouraged to follow the Health Department’s social media pages via Instagram, Facebook, and X for additional health and safety tips and messaging. 

The Health Department will host pop-up activities encouraging messaging, music and resources focused on pedestrian safety and staying physically active before school at several elementary schools across the city. 

Long Beach Walk to School Week is organized by the Health Department in partnership with the Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach Unified School District and other community partners. It is funded through grants received from the California Office of Traffic Safety (Bike and Pedestrian Safety) and the California Department of Health and Human Services (CalFresh Healthy Living). 

Long Beach Walk to School Week is funded through grants received from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Bike and Pedestrian Safety) and the California Department of Health and Human Services (CalFresh Healthy Living). California’s CalFresh Healthy Living, with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-USDA SNAP, produced this material. These institutions are equal opportunity providers and employers. For important nutrition information, people may visit CalFreshHealthyLiving.org.