Sponsored by the Verona Environmental Commission (VEC), on Wednesday, October 4, the district celebrated Walk & Bike to School Day.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of National Walk to School Day, which was first organized in 1997 to raise awareness of the need for safe, pedestrian-friendly communities. Students across the country are encouraged to walk to school in an effort to promote healthier habits, as well as to reduce our dependency on cars. Since its inception, participation in this one-day event has grown to include more than 5,000 schools across the country.
Students and faculty from Forest Avenue School gathered at 8 a.m. at one of two locations along Forest Avenue, where they were met by Walk to School committee members who spoke to students about the benefits of walking and the importance of pedestrian safety.
The VEC also held its annual “Walk & Bike to School” poster contest, which was open to all Verona public school students and offered a $50 prize to the winner. The poster contest theme was “How Can We Stop Climate Change in Verona?” Students who chose to participate carried their poster submissions with them as they walked. Posters were then collected and displayed inside the school.
The Forest Avenue SCA would like to thank all of the students, parents and staff who participated, as well as Verona Mayor Kevin Ryan, Town Council members Ted Giblin and Jack McEvoy, and a number of former Forest Avenue students from Verona High School for joining in the event.
Photos courtesy Liam Holland and Kelly Lucente.
