Park Orchard kids walk to school together
Charles H. Featherstone/Columbia Basin Herald Park Orchard Elementary students, led by crossing guard and fourth-grader Reese Porter, walk as part of the their school’s participation in National Walk to School Day on Friday.
Charles H. Featherstone/Columbia Basin Herald Crossing guard and fifth-grader Mia Bella waits for students to finish crossing the street.
MOSES LAKE — About a quarter of Park Orchard Elementary School’s 470 students gathered Friday morning to walk the mile and a half from Cascade Park to school.
It was all part of the school’s regular efforts to participate in National Walk to School Day, which actually takes place on Oct. 10.
“It was really good; we have about 125 students that joined us,” said Teya Porter, a mom and volunteer who walked with her two kids to school this morning.
So, 125 or so kids trudged up the hill from Cascade Park, and then slowly back down the hill along Crestview Drive toward the school.
“We try to do it twice a year, in the fall and then again in the spring,” said Porter, who is also the treasurer of the Park Orchard Parent-Teacher Organization. “It encourages team building, friendships. This week is, I think, anti-bullying week, and it’s a good thing to get kids out and going in a mix of students with our school.”
“It’s healthy and it gets them active!” Porter added.
“This my first walk to school with Park Orchard,” said fourth-grade teacher Prelita Owen, who led the kids as they approached school.
Owen said a group of teachers started out at Park Orchard, walked to Cascade Park, and then walked back with their students.
“It’s just nice to see all kids, and the families, join us,” she added.
According to the website for National Walk to School Day, the event began in 1997 “as a one-day event” in October, though it evolved over time to “become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school.”
Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.