Ruddy cheeks and good cheer streamed through the neighborhoods surrounding Katonah Elementary School and Meadow Pond Elementary on Friday, October 18! It was Walk and Roll to School—an international initiative that celebrates safe streets and everyday exercise. At KES, it’s an annual event. At MPES, it’s held once a month.
In Katonah, families gathered at three meeting points and proceeded in large groups. The mood was festive as dozens of children, parents and plenty of pups walked and rolled together. It could be that Ruby, Bear, Barney, Nugget, Pepper and other four-legged friends thought that Walk and Roll to School Day was invented just for their enjoyment!
For some students, walking and biking to school was an everyday activity. One student wearing a spikey bike helmet said that he bikes to school as much as he can. Third grader Hazel, who lives across the street from KES, walks to school with her small Havanese, Zoey, every day.
Yet for most, the event was a much-anticipated celebration of community, family and outdoor activity—made extra special by the spectacular fall weather.
First grade twins Arlo and Indigo skipped alongside their parents and PomChow puppy Lenny, enjoying every minute of the festive morning. “We have a ten-minute walk just to get to the bus stop,” their mom Liz Allen said. “I used to drive them—but since we got Lenny two-and-a-half weeks ago, they love to walk with him.”
Mom Kristen Roper made the most of the morning by piggy-backing a “walk-by” birthday treat for her third-grade son Luke, with classmates stopping by for a quick Munchkin on the way to school.
Many teachers and administrators also joined in walking to school. “I love doing Walk and Roll to School each year,” said Supervisor of Transportation Nora Beltran.
School Resource Officer Brett Schlosser and members of the Bedford Police Department made sure busy crossings were safe.
“Let’s race the bus!” said a few walkers-turned-runners heading up Huntville Road. The walkers won – helped by the crossing guard who halted the bus at the intersection.