Apr 24, 2008
At South School Students walk, bike on Friday
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If great weather is any indication, the skies approve of New Canaan’s Safe Routes to School kick-off event planned for tomorrow; those flocking to South School on foot or by bike will be blessed with sun and a high temperature of 75 degrees.
Judging by the participation of different departments, the Town also approves of the program aimed at fighting traffic and childhood obesity by installing safe walking routes to local schools. Two extra police officers, Public Works employees and as many as 28 teachers will be out at 7:40 a.m. to ensure the safe travel of South students along South Avenue and Farm Road.
“Virtually all intersections are covered,” New Canaan Police Capt. Leon Krolikowski said, “literally past Oak Street all the way past Saxe.”
Still, he said, pedestrians need to pay attention to traffic. Walkers have the right of way in an intersection without a traffic light, but must observe the cycle of the light where there is one.
It’s also a good idea, Police Chief Ed Nadriczny said, for pedestrians to make eye contact with a driver in an intersection, “So he or she is aware of your presence.”
Capt. Krolikowski advised drivers during the heavy traffic time between 7:45 and 8:15 to proceed a bit slower than usual and look out for crossing guards and other personnel.
As to whether or not older students should walk alone, Capt. Krolikowski said parents must make that decision with their children based on maturity level.
Just in case, he said, “the whole ‘Stranger Danger’ thing isn’t a bad idea. If a car stops and tries to get their attention, they should run the other way.”
Due to the number of enthusiastic adults around, including teachers in South School pride T-shirts, that shouldn’t be a problem.
“We expect a huge turnout,” said South School Principal Joanne Rocco, even from students who live too far to walk all the way. “Some kids and parents are planning to drive to a certain spot and leave their car and walk from there.”
South has been promoting the event through e-mails, flyers and morning announcements, said Ms. Rocco, and teachers will count the number of children who participate to better plan for International Walk to School Day in October.
Jennifer Essigs of South’s Parent Teacher Committee said the school has also been trying to educate students on the benefits of walking in general, passing out Walking Fast Facts from the Safe Routes to School Web site, saferoutesinfo.org.
She said her son, Nate, is “very excited.”
Hopefully that excitement won’t wane, said Senior Engineer Tiger Mann, who spearheaded Safe Routes initiative and oversaw the rapid installation of more than $30,000 worth of sidewalks and ramps along Farm Road and the South School parking lot for the event. He said he hoped Safe Routes would instill in younger children a life-long habit of walking and get them back to healthier lifestyles.
In 2001, less than 16 percent of students between the ages of 5 and 15 walked or biked to or from school; in 1969, 48 percent of children walked to school.
In 2003, 15 percent of American children were obese, compared to five percent of children in 1970.
South gym teacher Joshua MacDonald said he would appreciate anything New Canaan could do to reverse that trend, which has also increased the incidence of childhood diabetes.
“As a physical educator it’s tough to get enough physical activity in 30 minutes twice a week,” so, he said, “I’m trying to teach life-long fitness. It’s no longer a sports-oriented class.”
And walking?
“It’s one of the lifelong sports anybody can do.”
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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