Walk to School event planned October 3

Police and children to form “walking school bus”

WHO:

The City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Washington Irving Elementary School

WHAT:

International Walk to School Day – Washington Irving Elementary School teachers, parents, students and City police and fire officers are participating in a Walk to School Day event on October 3.  Activities will include a “walking school bus” that picks up kids living in the Twin Oaks Addition along the route to school.

According to statistics, ninety percent of children between the ages of five and 15 are driven to school.  The event is designed to encourage parents to walk their kids to school rather than driving them.  The result could reduce obesity, decrease traffic congestion and pollution and raise awareness of how walkable Oklahoma City can be.

Ernestine Mbroh, program director for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Oklahoma Safe Routes to School Program, also wants to get the word out to agencies and nonprofit organizations that grants are available through the federal government for everything from building safer street crossings to establishing walk-to-school programs for kids and their parents.

WHERE:

Washington Irving Elementary School, 18101 N Western, Edmond.  The “walking school bus” will begin at a small park in the Twin Oaks Addition (just north of the school).  The park is located near Bur Oak Drive, exit Western at NW 183 and take the first right.

WHEN:

8:05 a.m. Wednesday, October 3.

DAY OF CONTACTS:

Teachers Christine Lugafet, Shana Classen or Robert Evans (340-2210) or Lieutenant Robert Mercer 316-4537.