Students encouraged to walk to school

WATERLOO REGION — In a move to decrease traffic congestion and increase student physical activity, the school boards, along with police, and public health and city bylaw departments, are encouraging students to walk to school.

The four-week program — A Walk in their Sneakers — begins Wednesday. For the next four Wednesdays, students from about 25 elementary will be walking to school accompanied by a police officer and school board staff.

“We are promoting the importance of physical health and exercise and reducing traffic congestion around school zones,” said Waterloo Regional Police spokesperson Cherri Greeno.

The initiative was planned by Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, along with police, school boards, the city and township bylaw departments and Region of Waterloo Public Health.

The student transportation services entity is a co-operative student transportation system between both local schools boards to increase efficiencies and save money.

Greeno said the focus on walking to school for students stems from cars congregating in school parking lots, leading to safety issues for students and other pedestrians.

“There is speeding in school parking lots posing a safety risk to students,” she said.

On Wednesday, an officer will be walking with students to seven Waterloo schools, including Mary Johnston Public School and St. Agnes Catholic School.

All three cities and the townships are involved in the project.

Schools involved meet the board requirements of up to a 1.6-kilometre walk to school.

Public health nurse Annette Collins said the initiative is an opportunity to highlight the importance of walking to school and the positive effects of physical activity on academic achievement.

“Students are more ready to learn if they travelled to school in an active way rather than a passive way,” she said.

Studies show 20 minutes of walking can lead to better mental focus at school and increase academic performance.

Collins said she heard from parents who said they drive their children to school because they are afraid for their safety, “yet they are contributing to congestion by driving.”

Some parents end up blocking driveways near schools when they drop off their children, she said.

Collins said the project also allows police and bylaw officials to participate in a positive way.

Most often, they are out at schools giving out tickets.

Reducing traffic has many positives, such as less wear and tear on roads, safer roads for kids who do walk, fewer traffic snarls and less pollution.