Local students and parents join together to celebrate Walk to School Day.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Children and adolescents should have 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet fewer than three in 10 high school students get at an hour of physical activity a day.

On Wednesday, students across the country increased their physical activity by walking to school.

Originally organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, Walk to School Day began in 1997 to bring awareness for walkable communities, according to the Walk & Bike to School organization. The event spread to the United Kingdom and Canada in 2000, and now over 40 countries worldwide participate in Walk & Bike to School. Schools within the Glendale Unified School District were among the participants.

“Our children learn the geography of their neighborhood, help reduce the traffic and air pollution around their school, gain exercise and develop pedestrian safety by walking to school with school friends and parents,” said Lincoln Elementary School Principal Stephen Williams.

All elementary schools in the Crescenta Valley area and Rosemont Middle School participated in the event, most walking in groups after gathering at various locations near each school. Glendale police officers, Los Angeles Sheriffs Dept. deputies and California Highway Patrol officers were out in force to make sure pedestrians were safe.

“Yes, I like walking,” said Anthony Bolbolian, second grader at Fremont Elementary. He and his mom, Elena, do not walk often because of the hilly path from their home to school, but did like the opportunity to walk with a group of kids.

“If we lived in a flatter area we would probably walk more, but we are doing this for the Walktober event,” Elena said.

“[With walking] you get to be with your friends and exercise,” Anthony added. “Exercise helps you stay healthy.”

Steven Cronkhite and his son Aiden, a first grader at Fremont, walk to school every day. Steven said the Walk to School Day was a good event.

“It was nice to have everyone …. walk to school instead of using their cars. It lessens vehicular traffic on the street,” Steven said.

Lessening vehicle traffic and getting exercise is something that Rosemont Middle School Principal Scott Anderle would like to see more of.

“We are hoping this will become a regular occurrence,” Anderle said.

He added the benefits of walking extend beyond exercise.

“Walking to school reminds parents and the community the importance of getting a little exercise and also [being together] as a community and coming to school in a safe and orderly manner,” he said.

Rosemont students and adults started from Two Strike Park and made their way south to school, walking as a group.

“In elementary school, they call them ‘walking school buses.’ We have a number of students throughout the district who [walk] every day. About 15 students and an adult will meet five, six or seven blocks away from the school and walk as a group,” Anderle said. “I am trying to encourage kids to do that at Rosemont and we think Two Strike Park is a good place to meet and walk.”

  Charly Shelton, Mary Okeefe