Students celebrate walking
Yesterday set aside for walking to school
By Kelly Conniff, staff writer
Posted on October 5, 2006

Wednesday, the streets of Harrisonburg were filled with a few more students than usual as local schools participated in International Walk to School Day.

During the month of October, students from over 40 countries will walk to school to promote pedestrian awareness, safety and physical activity.

“We are encouraging people to be pedestrians, but in a motor vehicle-centered world, it’s hard to do so,” said Nancy Pullen, national Coordinator for International Walk to School Day. “We’re trying to find a balance with that world.”

In Harrisonburg, International Walk to School Day was celebrated yesterday at Keister Elementary. Throughout the state, 28 schools were a part of yesterday’s event, according to the International Walk to School Day Web site, walktoschool.org.

“We’re working with Safe Kids Worldwide and FedEx to raise public awareness about pedestrian safety,” Keister Principal Ann Linter said.

All buses were stopped close to the school so that the students can walk the rest of the way. Fifty to 60 volunteers were on hand with banners and encouraging the participants along the way.

This is the first year Harrisonburg has participated, which expands upon established programs in Charlottesville and the government-related program at the University of North Carolina.

The program started in the early 1990s when several successful walk-to-school campaigns were held in a number of countries, including some in Europe, Canada and the United States.

Through partnerships with various agencies like the National Center for Safe Routes to School, which is part of federal legislation passed in August 2005, money has been allotted to help encourage kids to walk to school and to promote safety.

“We have learned a lot as this event has evolved through the years,” Pullen said. “More and more schools are using it as a tool to motivate parents and students to be interested in engaging their community and school about walking to school,” Pullen said.

The Harrisonburg event has received grants that will allow the formation of a school safety committee.

“The goal is to bring attention to safe routes to school and encourage the usage of them,” Linter said. “With the city constantly changing, it’s important to make a difference and to be proactive.”

Pullen also hopes to bring awareness about pedestrian safety and help families reconnect with each other and the surrounding community.

“Many kids have to sacrifice so much and can’t walk to school anymore,” Pullen said. “We want bring communities together and help parents and kids rediscover the joy of walking.”