Milton Elementary celebrates International Walk to School Day

Milton Elementary School joined schools around the world Oct. 9 to celebrate International Walk to School Day. Milton Elementary added a little twist to this celebration by holding its walk event after the school day ended to allow parents and staff to join in on the fun.

The inclement weather did not deter 102 students and 20 adults, including parents, MES staff members, and community members to take part in this fun event. Milton Elementary’s students began the event by listening to Kim O’Malley from Delaware Fire School give tips on pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Patrolman Aron Serman of the Milton Police Department concluded the presentation with additional safety tips. The students got moving with a safety chant and dance. A fun Safety Scavenger Hunt within the school building sent the students searching for clues to pedestrian safety around Milton. The walkers concluded the walk with a healthy snack and participant prizes.

Organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, Walk to School Day in the USA began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness for the need for walkable communities. In 2000, the event became international when the UK and Canada, both of which had already been promoting walking to school, and the USA joined together for the first International Walk to School Day.

Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

Organization of the event was by Milton Elementary’s staff and PTO, Milton Police Department, Delaware Fire School and Safe Routes to School.