International Walk to School Day Observed in Bridgeport
By Julie Perine on October 08, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Students of Simpson Elementary School were bright eyed this morning as they met at the Bridgeport Church of Christ parking lot. After signing in and receiving a "passport," the students gathered to listen to PTA President Teresa Lunsford who explained what International Walk to School Day was all about. She told the 61 students - grades Pre-K through five - that walking to school is not only good exercise, but helps the environment by reducing the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles.
The kids met Lunsford's remarks with cheers, after which they were divided into grade and led in their walk to school by Principal Loria Reid - dressed in an Indian headdress and keeping a marching pace. Once the procession reached the school entrance, Reid stood and greeted each walker and school went into session as usual.
Johnson Elementary School also took part in International Walk to School Day. Two locations were designed for meeting places: Johnson Avenue United Methodist Church and St. Barnabus Church on Hall Street.
“It went really well. We had more kids this morning than we did last year – so that was great,” said Johnson Elementary PTA President Rose Rossana.
Just over 100 children participated.
“We made like 100 stickers to give to the kids to signify they had walked to school and we ran out of stickers at the end,” Rossana said.
The Johnson Elementary Eagle mascot was on hand to greet the walkers at the Johnson Avenue crosswalk.
“The kids loved that,” Rossana said. “And cars were beeping as they went by so even passersby were getting into it.”
In the age of electronics and video games, it’s necessary to keep fitness in the forefront and International Walk to School Day is an ideal way to accomplish that, she said. .jpg)
Simpson Elementary will continue the walk to school effort throughout the month of October. The passports which students received will be stamped upon arrival of each walk to school event. The procession leaves Bridgeport Church of Christ each Wednesday through October at 7:35 a.m. sharp.
The photos in the gallery below were submitted. Please send yours to julie@connect-bridgeport.com.
Read Trina Runner's International Walk to School preview HERE.
