Children lace up their shoes and take part in National Day walking and cycling to school


SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA / KFTA) – You can expect to see more kids walking or cycling on Wednesday morning, as it’s the national walking and cycling until school day.

Schools in the Springdale School District are participating in the campaign. Now what makes Westwood Elementary unique is that it is a neighborhood school.

Principal Kimberly Crumby tells us you won’t see school buses here. This is because all the families live within a one mile radius of the school grounds. Almost 500 children, K-5, attend Westwood Elementary. They are no strangers to school on foot or by bicycle.

Crumby says this initiative brings the community together and families who usually drop off their children are all encouraged to participate.

“It prepares them to learn, the more they move in the morning… sort of wake up their brains and prepare them to learn once in class,” Crumby said.

Grade 5 Lilly Rugg says she loves cycling to school.

“It gives me a lot of exercise especially since I do a lot of sports. It can warm my legs every time I go to play a game or something, ”said Rugg.

This initiative is about cities and schools working together to create and promote a safe environment for children to walk or cycle to school. It also reinforces the importance of physical activity for children.

Crumby says it also teaches children about responsibility and protection for each other. She adds that it is an opportunity for families to practice road safety. On the positive side, this limits the number of drivers on the road near school campuses.

Children are encouraged to use sidewalks and crosswalks when crossing streets.

“One thing is we make sure we always have a member of our staff here on the crosswalk. We always have a crossing guard here… and that way we feel like the kids always have a safe place to cross, ”said Crumby.

Here are some other safety precautions to keep in mind, according to the National Safety Council. If you are walking or cycling to school, it is important to stay alert, avoid being distracted, and watch out for cars. Look on both sides of the street, for oncoming traffic before crossing the street.

If you are driving, be sure to watch out for children, slow down and follow all the rules of the road.


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