Students and Parents Urged to Get Out of Their Cars for National Walk to School Day

Moreno Valley schools are intended to be community schools, within walkable and bikeable distance for most students. Yet, most families, due to work commutes, simple convenience or concern for children’s safety, choose to drive students to school each day. On Wed., Oct. 8, however, Moreno Valley families at six schools are urged to join others across the nation by leaving the car at home and walking to school instead. “For many families, because parents are headed to work by car, it’s just more convenient to drop students off at school,” said Shor Denny, local coordinator of the Safe Routes to School program. “But walking to and from school is a viable option for many other students. Families just need to try it once instead of automatically climbing into the car each morning.” The benefits of walking to school include family fitness, reduced air pollution, pedestrian safety due to fewer vehicles near schools, and an increased overall sense of community. “When you drive, you don’t meet other people,” explained Denny. “You don’t have the chance to interact, even with a simple ‘Good morning.’ The only way to create a community where it’s safe for children to be out and about is to get them out and about. Families walking to and from school helps make our communities safer and more unified and welcoming.” The morning of Oct. 8, Safe Routes to School volunteers and school district administrators will be stationed at Butterfield, Hendrick Ranch, Hidden Springs, Honey Hollow and Moreno elementary schools and Mountain View Middle School to welcome walkers with giveaways, and to encourage others to give walking to school a try any day of the week. “National Walk to School Day is the event, but we want to turn the event into everyday practice,” said Denny.