fab69e0e0fc49004d44dad84888e7393.jpg

LAMBERTVILLE, STOCKTON: This is ‘Walk to School Week’ at 11 county schools

   April 7-11 marks “Walk to School Week,” the start of the spring “walk to school season” at 11 Hunterdon County elementary and middle schools, including Stockton and Lambertville Public.
   ”Walk to School Week provides the perfect way to put the winter behind us and get back out walking,” says Tara Shepherd, executive director of HART Commuter Information Services, the nonprofit organization that coordinates the program.
   Walk to School Week will be marked by the reactivation of “walking school buses,” which are designated, chaperoned walks to school.
   ”Like the traditional big yellow bus, a “walking school bus” works with parents and/or faculty leading the way, ‘picking up’ students to join in the walk along the route,” says Ms. Shepherd.
   The weeklong celebration will include poster, picture and video contests. Using one of the three media, students will document “What I See on My Way to School,” “What I Like Best About Walking to School” or “Why Everyone Should Walk to School.” Winners will be selected at each school by grade level.
   Several schools will participate in a countywide walk-to-school challenge. Schools select one day during the week to challenge students to walk to school that day. The totals will be tallied and submitted for comparison with other schools. The school with the most participation by percentage of student population will win the competition for the week.
   Walk to School Week will also feature special recognition of crossing guards. Students are invited to write thank you notes to their crossing guards, which will be presented at each school, along with a certificate of appreciation.
   Safe Routes to School has two primary goals: where it is safe, get kids walking or bicycling to school; and where it is not safe, make it safe.
   Other participating schools are Barley Sheaf Elementary (Raritan Twp), Bloomsbury Elementary, Califon Public, Clinton Public, Frenchtown Elementary, Hampton Public, Lebanon Borough, Milford Public and Reading-Fleming Intermediate in Flemington.