Editorial

Walking school buses are a great idea for anybody

Monday, March 24, 2008

"Hurry up! You're going to miss the bus!"

"That's OK, Mom, I can catch up with it."

As implausible as it may be, Junior may be right.

That's because local elementary schools and Parent-Teacher Organizations are organizing "Walking School Bus" routes to encourage kids to walk to school.

Under the idea, volunteer neighborhood parents walk a group of students to school.

A simple idea, but it's a good one.

For kids, they not only get some valuable exercise, but they learn pedestrian safety with adult guidance and supervision, learn more about their neighborhoods, socialize with friends and get to know children of other ages, gain a sense of independence, arrive at school alert and ready to learn -- and have fun while they do it.

Parents and volunteers have a chance to meet other families, have fewer worries about their children getting to school safely and provide a service to the school and community.

Not only that, it will provide a much-welcome reduction in traffic around schools, especially at McCook Elementary, which now bears traffic that formerly dropped off kids at East Ward and West Ward, as well as North Ward, McCook Elementary's old name.

In this day of $4 gasoline and growing obesity, anything that gets people out of their cars and onto their feet is a good thing.

An added benefit? If Junior is too slow getting out of bed, perhaps the bus will come right into the house and get him.

For more information, contact your school or PTO.

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