Will Rogers students skip the bus

EDMOND October 08, 2008 10:08 pm

— The Edmond Fire Department cheered on as Edmond Police led about 125 fourth- and fifth-grade students Wednesday from Fink Park to Will Rogers Elementary.
Leslie James, physical education teacher, said the students walked about a mile to school in recognition of International Walk to School Day.
“It was awesome how many kids showed up,” James said. “It was kind of a kick off for our new walking program.”
In late October, students will compete against the other classes in their grade to see who can walk the most miles to Hawaii for Walk Across America, a national walking program for schools. James said students will be able to walk during recess or at home with parent authorization to earn miles for the competition. The class in each grade that walks the most miles will a get a luau party.
She said they currently are looking for a sponsor to buy a big map of the United States so the students can have a visual that represents their progress from Oklahoma to Hawaii.
James said teachers and parents walked to school with the students for International Walk to School Day.
“I thought it would send a clear message to the students about how important it is to stay healthy,” she said.
Each teacher, parent and student that participated in the event received a sticker badge for their efforts.
“I live in that neighborhood and I like to walk the road up and down,” said Matthew Osmus, fifth grade. “I’ve walked to school quite a few times.”
Fourth-grader Emma Dillard said walking to school was more fun than riding the bus because she got to walk and talk with her friends.
Brennan Hunt, a fifth-grader, said walking makes your body healthy. She said this was her first time to walk to school.
“I’ve never walked to school before because I live too far away,” Hunt said.
Tyler Delpha, a fourth-grader, said the highlight of the walk was being led by a motorcycle police officer.

cbryce@edmondsun.com |
341-2121, ext. 112

Photos

PHOTO PROVIDED | LESLIE JAMES Will Rogers Elementary students, teachers and parents pose with an Edmond Police officer who escorted the fourth and fifth grades to school Wednesday morning on International Walk to School Day.

PHOTO PROVIDED | LESLEY JAMES Will Roges Elementary fifth-grader Taryn Welch looks back as she and other students participate in International Walk to School Day Wednesday morning.