Schools throughout the area will have similar walk to school days in the coming week, following California’s lead, as part of a collaborative initiative organized by the city, the Police Department and the Fire Department.
The main ideas are to get kids in good habits when it comes to negotiating streets and getting them comfortable spending a little time in the morning making their way to class on foot.
“There are so few opportunities for kids to participate in physical activities because they’re so busy with school,” said Fire Department public education specialist Brenda Emrick.
And a lot of the kids have fun getting out early. Many of them were full of adrenaline, having completed what they consider an adventure, as they stood in line to get snacks.
“You see a lot of crazy things when you walk. We saw a big mushroom and a crazy lawn,” said 9-year-old Devin Pacheco.
“I liked it a lot because it’s nice seeing the sun go up over everyone’s lawns and stuff,” said fourth-grader Killian Mulrooney.
Both boys are usually driven to school.
One of the other nice results of the program is that kids figure out what it’s like to get through traffic on foot, so when they finally learn how to drive they are more aware of what pedestrians and cyclists around them are doing, said Carol Proctor, a city staffer who was on hand giving out rulers, pencils and fake tattoos.
“We want to instill a behavioral pattern that safe biking and safe walking are things you should embrace,” Proctor said.
ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com.
