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Foot traffic: Students stroll to school

International Walk to School Day designed to get students active, promote safer streets and reduce air pollution.

Robert C. Reed

Fourth-grader Dioselyn Reyes holds a sign warning drivers to watch out for children as they walk to school Wednesday.

Related Links

International Walk to School in the USA Web site

By Sarah Newell Williamson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: October 9, 2008

HICKORY - As Dioselyn Reyes got ready for the three-block trek to school, the fourth-grader shouted at a passing car to slow down.

Dioselyn was one of more than 100 students who walked to Oakwood Elementary School on Wednesday morning, as part of International Walk to School Day. Although this is the eighth year for the event, it's the first year for Oakwood Elementary to participate.

Dioselyn clutched one of several signs, which had slogans urging people to walk to school and stating the reason so many walked together.

"Slow down, that's what the sign means," she said to a motorist, pointing to her sign that read, "Look out for our children."

About 100 of Oakwood Elementary's 410 students frequently walk to school instead of riding the bus, said Jeff Hodakowski, the school's principal. Some of those students are occasionally dropped off or picked up by car.

International Walk to School Day is designed to get students active, promote safer streets and reduce air pollution by curbing the number of people who drop their children off at school, said Jennifer Marshall, one of the parents who helped coordinate Oakwood Elementary's event.

"We tried to reach out to people who drive to school, and let them know that it's OK for their kids to walk to school," she said. "We passed out fliers about the event at the car line at school to let parents know."

On Wednesday, parents, children and members of the community, including Hickory Public Schools' administrators, Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright and Democratic Congressional candidate Daniel Johnson, showed up for the walk. They convened at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Sixth Street, NW, before walking to school.

Drew Rogers gave his 5-year-old daughter, Amaris, a hug and a kiss before letting her walk with her friends in a group to school. He only lives about a 10-minute walk away from Oakwood Elementary.

"When it's nice, we'll walk to school. We ride in the car, too, though," he said. "I think this is great to get the kids outside, though. She's been excited about it for days."

Hodakowski said he's wanted the school to participate in the event in years past, since the Oakwood community is a pedestrian-friendly area, but has been unable to.

"An e-mail's been sent to me about it before, but never in enough time to get it fully organized. This time, I got it in enough time to get it done," he said. "I asked one of the moms to help coordinate it, and it's been nice to see so much community support. I want to make it an annual event."

Links for the Web:
http://www.walktoschool.org/index.cfm