J. Colin English students walk to school
They gathered in the Weaver’s Corner Shopping Plaza parking lot early on Thursday morning. Students, parents and a few teachers were there, ready to take a walk.
J. Colin English Elementary School, with the help of Winn Dixie, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office held its third-annual Walk to School event, where students walk to school to promote not only physical fitness, but also safe habits to keep them from danger on the roads.
Morgan Wright, a physical education teacher at the school and former Golden Apple recipient, said it’s being done to keep them fit and to know there are other ways to get around other than the school bus.
“Staying active and staying mobile is one of the best ways to stay fit. Childhood obesity has seen a dramatic increase, so to show kids it’s OK to walk to school and do it safely and stay active,” Wright said.
The program started on the county level, which Wright said he quickly endorsed because it helped make the school day more fun. Over the years it has grown to where 70 students took the half-mile walk, escorted by Lee County’s finest.
Sally Kreuscher, coordinator for Safe Kids for Lee and Collier counties, said Safe Kids emphasized the safety element of the event.
“We want kids to wear reflective clothing, put their cell phones down when they cross the road, and make eye contact with drivers because they’re also distracted,” Kreuscher said.
Students were very excited over the prospect of walking with their friends. Dylan Coinelison was among them.
“It’s a one-time deal. Every time he does it, I do it. It’s safe, but I usually ride my bike to school every day,” Coinelison said. “I get to walk with the coach and get the exercise.”
“I’m tired of taking the bus. I should just stop taking it and get some exercise but it’s too far,” said JakobBownam, fifth-grader. “It’s my first time doing this. I just wanted to see my friends, I only get to see them three times a day.”
Many parents went along for the trip before walking back to Weaver’s Corner for their cars and starting their day.
Rikki Trammell walked her two children, Rebecca, 6, and Wyatt, 8, to school, which made for an exciting day for them.
“It gets the kids up and ready. They like to walk and exercise anyway and this gets them ready even more,” Trammell said. “Rebecca likes to play outside and jump on the trampoline, and we like to walk to school when it gets cooler.”
Students were welcomed to the school by teachers and volunteers, with gift bags full of fun items awaiting them in the back playground.
Wednesday was International Walking to School Day, when 15 schools took part, Kreuscher said. J.Colin English was the last school to put on the event.
“This is a fantastic turnout. We’ve had about 2,000 kids turn out all together and this wraps it up nicely,” Kreuscher said.