Neither mist nor chill dampened the enthusiasm of students, siblings and parents on Brockport’s 13th Annual Walk To School Day. Despite the less than ideal conditions, 683 students walked to school on Wednesday, October 3. Winning the trophy for the highest percentage of students walking was the Barclay School with 44 percent of its student body walking. Great job, Barclay School.
In a new twist this year, a competition was held between Oliver Middle School students – 6th, 7th and 8th grades – for the best walking class. The Oliver Middle School Walk To School Day Champion 2018 is the 6th grade. The class will be recognized by a plaque to be displayed prominently in the Middle School. Great job, 6th graders. Although the number of Middle School walkers was slightly down from last year’s record number likely due to poor early morning weather, there promises to be a lively competition among the Middle School classes in future years.
Once again, recognition and thanks go out to the many people and organizations that make this event so successful and fun: parents who encourage their children to walk to school and walk with them, high school Key Club and FLEC Club members who cheer the walkers on, Element 36 student band for its great music, Kiwanis Club for manning the coffee tent, PTSA for water and selfie stations, several area farms for their donation of apples which are always a big hit with the children, Tim Horton’s for its donation of coffee which is a big hit with the adults, the SUNY Brockport women’s basketball and men’s baseball teams which supported and walked with the students, Brockport police department for their increased presence to keep the walkers safe, our numerous volunteer greeters, and the dedicated members of the Walk To School Committee. There is no Walk To School Day without all of you.
Walk To School Day is celebrated nationally and internationally to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Whether we walk to school or walk around our communities, let’s do more of it.
Jim Goetz, MD
Brockport Walk To School Committee
