Safety kits, training, and visits from Pete Walker to prepare schools for Walk to School Day

Shasta County – The Safe Routes to School program is offering safety kits, training, and technical assistance to Shasta County schools to promote pedestrian safety education to prepare for Walk to School Day on October 4, 2017. Kits include educational materials, vests, cones and promotional materials. The training is Wednesday, September 6^th at 5:30 p.m. at Cypress School. It includes tips to make Walk to School Day a success, implementing a walking school bus, and a training for crossing guards. An officer from the Anderson Police Department will be assisting with the training.

Interested schools, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) groups, and individual parents are encouraged to register for the training by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30.  Schools are encouraged to have volunteers from PTA, a parent club, site council, or staff willing to coordinate the Walk to School Day event and lead additional walks to school throughout the school year.

Schools that attend the training will be able to sign up for a visit from Pete Walker, the mascot relaying the message that “Pedestrians Don’t Have Armor” and drivers should be especially alert for children walking near school zones. The Shasta Safe Routes to School and the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) programs have teamed up to bring the campaign to Shasta County. Pete will visit several local schools throughout October to educate both student pedestrians and drivers.

Last year, 14 local schools participated in International Walk to School Day. The goal of the Safe Routes to School Program is to make walking and biking to school safer, easier, more convenient and increase the numbers of children walking or biking to school safely.

“Walking and biking to school is a great way for children to get exercise before starting their school day, making them more prepared to concentrate and learn when they arrive at school,” said Sara Sundquist, Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator. “When more students walk, the number of vehicles around the school area is reduced, making it safer for more children to walk or bike.”

For more information or for an application, call at 245-6457 or visit www.healthyshasta.org.

Healthy Shasta is a community collaborative committed to making healthy eating and physical activity choices easier where you live, work and play. Visit www.healthyshasta.org for more information.