The Safe Routes to School program is offering safety kits and technical assistance to Shasta County Schools for coordinating Walk to School Day, October 3, 2012. Kits include a heavy duty A-Frame sign to post safety messages and event information, vests, cones, umbrellas, prizes for student walkers, and promotional materials. Applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012.
To be eligible, schools are encouraged have a group of parents from Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), a parent club, or Site Council willing to coordinate the event, which must include an on-going walking school bus. A walking school bus is a supervised group of children walking together to school. Typically the students meet at a park or church parking lot to walk as a group.
Last year 14 local schools participated in International Walk to School Day. The goal of the Safe Routes to School Program is to make walking and biking to school safer, easier, more convenient, and increase the numbers of children walking or biking to school safely.
“Walking and biking to school is a great way for children to get exercise before starting their school day, making them more prepared to concentrate and learn when they arrive at school, “said Sara Sundquist, Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator. “Walking and cycling also reduces the number of cars around the school area, making it safer for even more children to walk or bike.”
For more information or for an application, call Sara Sundquist at 245-6457 or visit www.healthyshasta.org.
