Palm Springs Students Take Part In National Walk & Roll to School Day

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Elementary and middle school students throughout Riverside County took a stroll or rolled to school in recognition of "National Walk & Roll to School Day" —part of an effort to promote youth exercise and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

The walks were slated to begin around 7 a.m. at campuses in Indio, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Murrieta, Palm Springs, Perris, Riverside, Temecula, and Winchester.

Over 2,750 schools across the country, and 305 schools in California, signed up to Walk and Roll to class on Wednesday.

Youths from over a dozen schools countywide are expected to take part in the annual event, during which parents, teachers and community-based volunteers form "walking school buses" to shepherd children to their campuses, according to organizers. Though in Riverside County's many walkable neighborhoods, kids often walk or bike to school, the following schools signed up for participation in the day.

In Indio, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary school kids walked and rolled to class. In Jurupa Valley, Granite Hill Elementary School, Mission Bell Elementary, Pedley Elementary and Rustic Lane Elementary participated. In Menifee, Chester W. Morrison Elementary and Southshore Elementary Schools participated. In Palm Springs, Cielo Vista Charter School and Raymond Cree Middle School participated. Temecula Walk and Roll schools included Crowne Hill Elementary, Vail Ranch Middle School, Temecula Luiseno Elementary School, and in Winchester, Susan La Vorgna Elementary and Summit Academy participated in the day.

Students are also encouraged to ride bicycles.

"National Walk & Roll to School Day is a great opportunity to highlight pedestrian safety and advocate for safer routes for walking and biking to school," Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Marcos Acosta said. "This day underscores the importance of boosting physical activity and prioritizes the safety of families in our community."

Organizers said walking programs promote a reduction in childhood obesity and stress the importance of pedestrian access and safety on traffic corridors.

Students, parents, guardians and teachers were reminded to stay on marked walking paths or sidewalks, use crosswalks, remain vigilant when going through right-of-ways and try to wear visible clothing for the benefit of motorists.

More information is available at www.walkbiketoschool.org.