Pleasanton elementary schools will be joining hundreds of schools throughout the nation by participating in the International Walk to School Week. Donlon and Walnut Grove elementary schools will walk on Tuesday, October 5, Alisal, Hearst and Lydiksen schools on Wednesday, October 6, Mohr and Valley View schools on Thursday, October 7 and Fairlands and Vintage Hills elementary schools will walk on Friday, October 8. The promotion is sponsored by the City of Pleasanton, Pleasanton Unified School District and all elementary schools. This annual event, held in Pleasanton for the 10th year, promotes pedestrian safety and parent involvement. It is being promoted as part of Rides to School, Pleasanton's School Traffic Calming Program. Morning celebrations where students and parents can enjoy refreshments hosted by the City of Pleasanton, will be held beginning 30 minutes prior to the first bell at each school. Many parent volunteers from each school will be helping to coordinate the refreshment parties which will welcome the hundreds of walkers each morning.
"Walk to School Day will allow parents to spend time with their children and see how beneficial walking to school is for their children and their school. It teaches the students safe walking habits and helps reduce traffic around the schools," said Lisa Adamos, Economic Development Specialist with the City of Pleasanton, when asked to describe the goals of this event.
To address concerns regarding children safety, congestion and neighborhood impact around our schools, Rides to School, an interactive partnership to plan and manage school traffic, was created. To encourage more students and parents to walk, bike or carpool to school, the City has a schoolpool website, www.pleasantonschoolpool.org which assists parents in forming schoolpools at their school. For more information on the Rides to School Program, contact Lisa Adamos, City of Pleasanton at 931-5039.
