Wheatley and Whittier elementary schools will celebrate International Walking School Bus Day by giving their own routes a test drive on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. Students can have the best of both worlds: a ride to school while scheduling regular physical activity back into their day. A walk replaces the traditional bus trip along a predetermined “safe route.”
“Walking School Bus” programs have been implemented in public and private schools across the country to fight an epidemic of childhood obesity that has almost guaranteed this generation of children will be the first in American history to expect a shorter life span than their parents. The alarming rise of childhood obesity has given rise to adult diseases in ever-increasingly younger ages: heart disease, Type II diabetes, and even osteoporosis.
It’s a great way to schedule regular exercise back into a school day while providing additional social bonding for students outside of regular academics or the gym. Ten to 15 minutes of additional exercise per day can result in a dramatic improvement in health for most children, and most experience psychological and social benefits. Participants report better behavior and focus in the classroom, and have fun with friends and volunteers along the route to school. Administrators describe benefits for those who suffer from asthma and breathing disorders, since there is less congestion and air pollution around schools.
Children are educated on “safe walking” in urban settings, and volunteers have inspected the routes for safety. Upper grade level students will help younger children walk their way to school successfully and safely, with adult “bus drivers” ready to come to their aid if necessary.
The program to be implemented in the Kansas City, Missouri School District (KCMSD) is sponsored by KC Healthy Kids and the PedNet Coalition. Community partner LINC (Local Investment Commission) is helping Deb Baumgardner of KC healthy Kids coordinate the project at the school sites: