Kids andcops hit the streets for Walk to School Day
Students and parents turn out for exercise, community awareness.
By EUGENE W. FIELDS and NIYAZ PIRANI
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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More than 150 of Handy Elementary School's 550 students took part this morning in International Walk to School Day. While his 7-year-old stepdaughter, Lauryn Walker, weaved through the crowd to get an apple donated by a store, Norman Cooper said they were used to walking. "We usually walk every day," Cooper said. "This event is part of her school, so we joined in." "Its good exercise," Walker said. The group was shepherded by six members of the Orange Police Department on motorcycles, bicycles and on foot. Students walked holding florescent signs that read, "Children Walking, Drive Safely." "It promotes a good environment," said Sandy Taylor, a police service officer with Orange police. "It lets our kids know it's safe to walk to school." Handy joined more than 20 other schools in Orange County and 6,500 campuses across the country this morning in International Walk to School Day. In Mission Viejo, more than 300 students at Bathgate Elementary hoofed it to campus as part of Walk to School Day. "It's good for exercise and also shows community and school spirit," said Principal Shelly Kurtz, who celebrates her birthday today. Before the walk, students and parents sang for her. "Our world is so hectic," said parent Ted Gleason, who along with his wife, Alicia, organized that campus effort. "It's nice to spend time with the family in the the morning and get a little exercise to start your day." A group of parents and 26 students at Oso Grande Elementary School in Ladera Ranch took part in their regular walking pool. "We have a pretty bad parking situation at Oso," parent Renee Gerken explained. Most is set aside for teachers. "The purpose of it is to create awareness about pedestrian and bike safety," said Orange Police Sgt. Dan Adams. The event entails students, teachers, parents and police officers meeting at a staging area and then walking or riding bicycles to school. Adams said the goal is for pedestrians - and motorists - to develop good habits when travelling through school zones. "It (walking) also reduces traffic congestion and collisions around schools by having kids walk to school," Adams said. Adams said another reason for the event is to promote physical activity in elementary-school children
According to the organization's Web site, the first Walk to School Day was in 1997.
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