Terra Centre Participates in iWalk

It's a natural.  is nestled in a lively community and surrounded by walking paths.  The school and its PTA value International Walk to School Day ("iWalk") because it inspires community neighborliness, and shows parents and children that walking on a fall day is fun and healthy.

"On iWalk days, the invigorating stroll assures the children are energized and ready to learn," said Molly Turner Field, PTA member and parent. "As for parents, they always make a new friend as they wait to grab a free cup of coffee." Turner, immediate past president of the PTA, said iWalk reduces Kiss & Ride traffic at Terra Centre by about 75 percent.

Terra Centre Elementary School and its PTA have been active participants in iWalk since 2008. Then-PTA president Terri Melone and her team brought the program to TCES with support from Principal Michele Sims. The initiative has grown to include participation by the Fairfax County Police and donations from Starbucks and Great Harvest Bread Co. for the parents.

Field says the participation numbers the first year were modest.  "There were only about 50 walkers, compared to the more than 350 who participated today," she said.  "It's such a popular program that co-chairs Anne-Margaret Ashley and Karen Savell have created a spring , that is equally fortified and attended."

On iWalk days, Fairfax County police officers donate their time to monitor traffic and safely cross families at the intersection of Burke Centre Parkway and Schoolhouse Woods Rd. / Marshall Pond Rd.

Walking to school is an especially big-deal at Terra Centre because of Burke Centre Parkway.  On non-iWalk days, children who would need to cross Burke Centre Parkway are safely bused to school -- even those who live less than a quarter mile away.

The children who live within the one-mile walking boundary of the school and don't have to cross Burke Centre Parkway are accompanied by their parents or a casual cooperative of parents both mornings and afternoons. In addition, Terra Centre has safety patrols stationed along school routes.  A police department crossing guard, who knows all the children by name, monitors the crosswalk on Marshall Pond Rd.

In August, Pond Spice Lane and Burke Centre Parkway at Terra Centre Elementary was opened.

According to Fairfax County Public Schools, of the 27 schools which participated in International Walk to School Day, seven were in the Burke-Springfield area.  In addition to Terra Centre, these included Crestwood Elementary, Kings Park Elementary, Lynbrook Elementary, North Springfield Elementary, Ravensworth Elementary, and Springfield Estates Elementary.