On June 8th, SDOT’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator led students and staff at Van Asselt Elementary School in a celebration of the successful conclusion of a walk to school campaign. The campaign included Walk to School Week where the youngsters were encouraged to walk or bike to school. Walking school buses were established at several locations throughout the neighborhood, including one at Benefit Park. The education campaign teaches second grade students the basic skills for how to walk safely to school. One of the primary walking routes on Beacon Avenue S (photo) was recently improved by SDOT with sidewalk repairs and crosswalk remarking. Luau Day and Silly Shoes and Socks Day are two examples of the fun themes that were established for each day of the Walk to School Week. When students arrived at school each morning they logged their walking trips with event volunteers and were entered in a drawing for several prizes, such as family fun packages that included free entry to the Pacific Science Center and the Children’s Museum.
A total of 96 students participated in the Walk to School Week. Over the five days, the students walked a collective 140 miles – nearly the distance from Seattle to Vancouver, BC. SDOT’s Safe Routes to School program sponsored similar events this spring at three other elementary schools including Coe, West Seattle, and Green Lake.