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As the sun was rising on October 26, about 50 students from Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School arrived at school together as a group on the school’s “walking school bus” – a group of parents and students who have recently started walking to school together each morning for health, safety and environmental reasons.
October 26 marked the official launch of York Catholic’s first official “Walk to School” program, with Notre Dame CES as the pilot school. Sharon Delurey of York Region Community and Health Services has been spearheading the campaign through York Region.
“This is the first Catholic school in York Region to participate in this pilot program!” said Ms. Delurey. “It’s very exciting!”
As staff, students, and parents arrived, they eagerly awaited the cutting of the ribbon to announce the program’s official kick-off. Although the weather was rainy, it didn’t stop the excitement felt amongst the crowd, and some students and volunteers even dressed up in costumes for the occasion!
When the signal was given, Newmarket Ward 1 Councillor Mr. Tom Vegh cut the ribbon and students erupted into a cheer.
Grade 5 student Devin Baker believes in the Walk to School program for the many benefits it provides.
“Walk to School helps promote a healthy body,” he said. “It helps you get fit, and the more we walk, the more it encourages other people to walk. As more people walk, it will help our program to grow.”
While the program only officially kicked off on October 26, students have been encouraged to walk to school for the last few weeks. Although the campaign is called Walk to School, students taking the bus or using a carpool still reduce vehicle emissions released into the air, than those released by individual cars.
Devin also lent his creative talents to the Walk to School initiative. Each month, classes with the most number of student walkers, bus riders or carpoolers, win the “Golden Shoe Award” – designed and built by Devin.
“I sprayed the shoe gold so that it looks like a trophy,” said Devin. “I also used fall colours because the launch is in the fall, and I used a shoe because it’s a walking program.”
Currently, the school’s Grade 2 class holds the award for the most number of students arriving at school on foot, or by bus or carpool.
Notre Dame CES Principal Carol Taggio has been excited and encouraged by the program’s positive reception amongst students and parents.
“We decided to undertake the project because a high number of our students were being driven to school by their parents,” said Mrs. Taggio. “We wanted to show that our school is environmentally conscious and that we work hard to reduce vehicle gas emissions and help students develop a healthier lifestyle.”
The school has started tracking the number of cars outside the school during drop-off time, and they have certainly noticed a reduction.
“The Walk to School program encourages students to feel safe walking to school,” said Mrs. Taggio. “It’s also helping to develop a stronger sense of community amongst students and parents. The group of 50 people we had here this morning is already building momentum!”