Students learn lessons from Walk to School Day

Traditionally when parents tell their children about walking to school it includes woeful tales of hiking uphill in the snow. Both ways.

But these days, area students are getting a fresh take on walking and biking to class that includes posters, themes and special guests as part of International Walk to School Day.

This year's event, celebrated Wednesday, promoted exercise, care for the environment and finding safe routes to school.

"The most pollution happens on the shortest trips ... so we try to get that message out to the kids. Also, to stay fit and be healthy," said Kara Novins, co-chair of the School Family Community Partnership at River Woods Elementary in Naperville.

River Woods students received flying discs from the city of Naperville and were greeted Wednesday by McGruff the Crime Dog along with the North Central College mascot and cheerleaders.

Scott Jable said the walk with his son also was a chance for some extra family time.

"As you're walking there (you're) talking about things you see on the way to school, what they're going to do today or the seasons changing or the leaves falling from the trees, things like that," Jable said. "It's a nice opportunity to spend a little time doing that."

Many River Woods youngsters also dropped off their used gym shoes when they arrived as part of the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program that recycles old athletic shoes and turns them into sports surfaces like basketball courts and running tracks.

Fourth-grader Bobby Story was one of the donors and said not only was he happy to help out, he enjoys walking to school with friends.

"We always talk and have fun together even if (there's) rain or snow or anything," he said.

May Watts Elementary parent Cindy Brennan participated in International Walk to School Day for the first time last year in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 but it left a lasting impression.

She enjoyed it so much she started a group of families that walk to school together once a month and incorporates themes like celebrating Veterans Day in November and inviting a bagpiper in March in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

"The bagpiper was the biggest hit so far," she said. "Everyone was running out their doors to walk with us that day."

The Naperville school, which received a $500 grant from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, boasted about 400 walkers or riders this year as well as special guests such as Naperville City Council member Darlene Senger.

After walking to classes, the students participated in an all-school assembly where personal trainers from Edward Hospital told them about the benefits of walking, and how a healthy pumping heart can give them more energy throughout the day.

Other schools around the area participated in Walk to School Day, too. Students from Washington Elementary School in Wheaton turned their day of walking into a parade that started several blocks away and grew as it got closer to school.

Daily Herald staff writers Justin Kmitch and Catherine Edman contributed to this report.