By: Milly Petrilla
Elementary school students throughout the West Windsor-Plainsboro district will hit the streets on Wednesday in honor of International Walk Our Children to School Day.
The event is intended to "create awareness of how walkable a community is and where improvements can be made," Wicoff School Principal Michael Welborn said in a letter to parents. "It is a great opportunity to teach pedestrian safety and identify safe routes to school."
Students and their parents from the Wicoff School have been asked to meet at 8:10 a.m. in Plainsboro Plaza and walk to school as a group. During that time, safety procedures will be reviewed and posters made by students will be displayed along the route. The walk will take place rain or shine and refreshments from Plainsboro Dunkin’ Donuts will be served.
In West Windsor, the Bicycle & Pedestrian Alliance has worked with the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association to organize "Walk At Hawk" which will involve students from the Maurice Hawk Elementary School completing a walkability checklist that they will later present to the West Windsor Township Council and West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education.
"(We’re) giving kids the opportunity to do the research and take a look at things," said Susan Conlon, who serves as Bicycle & Pedestrian Alliance vice president. "Hopefully, if there’s anything that comes up in the checklist … some corrections can be made to make (things) safer."

