KCA gets active
Kentville school holds walk and wheel event
The bike racks at Kings County Academy were overflowing Sept. 26, with additional bikes lined up against nearby play equipment and the school building.
It’s not a normal sight at the Kentville school. Most days, there are a few bikes at the school, but many students ride the bus or are dropped off.
Principal Mike Ouellette couldn’t help but grin at the bikes.
“It’s great to see, it’s nice to see all the kids walking or biking today,” he said.
KCA was participating in an active transportation initiative organized by the Kings County Academy School Travel Planning Committee that encouraged students to walk, bike or wheel to school.
Teachers and volunteers met students at designated locations to help kids walk to school. Ouellette, who walked with a handful of students from Mitchell Avenue to KCA, said the students he escorted were excited to participate.
“They were all happy,” he said. “We really want to encourage people to use active transportation rather than all the cars dropping students off. It’s easier than you think it may be to do. It might take a little more organization for parents the night before, but it’s do-able. I just walked a group of six- and seven-year-olds to school in less than 30 minutes.”
There are plenty of benefits to students, he said, including improving academic success, promoting an active lifestyle and reducing traffic congestion around the school.
Seven-year-old Breagh MacLean walked with her father and a neighbour.
“You can get more nature when you walk,” she said. “You get a lot more fresh air.”
Drew Hockley, 11, lives close to the school and bikes often.
“It’s great because you get more exercise,” he said.
Sam Churchill normally walks to school with his brother. On Sept. 26, though, the 10-year-old loved the chance to walk with a larger group of students.
“It was fun, walking and talking with everyone,” he said.
Nick Bradley, 11, rode his bike to school.
“I really like biking and I like getting to school quick, so I love riding my bike to school,” he said. “It’s fun and good for you.”
This is the second time the walk and wheel event has been held at KCA. The last time, in June 2015, was a big success, said Andre Bouchard, Kentville’s active living co-ordinator.
“We’re hoping to renormalize walking and biking to school,” Bouchard said.
In Bridgewater, he said, the initiative has had so much success that it’s now held on the first Tuesday of every month. Closer to home, Berwick has organized volunteers to run a “walking school bus” that is experiencing success in encouraging students to get moving in the morning.
“We may have to work up to that, but I’d love to do this again in the spring,” Bouchard said.