Approximately 1,000 students at Barley Sheaf Elementary School, Califon Public School, Clinton Public School, Delaware Township School, Frenchtown Elementary School, Hampton Public School, High Bridge Elementary School, Lambertville Public School, Lebanon Borough School, and Reading Fleming Intermediate School have been celebrating International Walk to School (I-WALK) month with walk to school events.
I-WALK is part of a global movement that involves communities from across the country and around the world to encourage students to walk school during the month of October. In the United States, the event began in 1997. Today, thousands of schools across America in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico participate as part of a nationwide Safe Routes to School Program. In New Jersey, the program is funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
“I-WALK is a fun way to kick off the new school year and the fall walking season,” says Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager. “Students, parents, teachers, and faculty, participate in the designated I-WALK event and are then motivated to walk to school on a regular basis,” he notes.
goHunterdon coordinates the Safe Routes to School Program in Hunterdon County, following the programs simple goals~ “Where it is safe, get more kids walking or bicycling; where it is not safe, make it safe.”
In addition to coordinating walk and bike to school events, go Hunterdon offers a variety of free pedestrian and safety presentations to schools throughout the year. For more information, contact Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager, rfisher@gohunterdon.org