Kids Hoof it for Walk to School Day

Brianna Shumaker took steps toward her education early Wednesday afternoon, flanked by two friends and followed by a procession. 

Brianna, Katelyn Kirves and Peyton Krimmel, all of who are in fifth grade, usually get driven to school. But on Wednesday, they were hoofing it on Trouble Creek Road at the head of a group of students and parents for International Walk to School Day.

The event is coordinated in the Tampa Bay area by Suncoast Safe Kids Coalition, All Children’s Hospital and Safe Routes to School.

Forty-six schools in the Tampa Bay area participated in the program.  Ten schools in Pasco County participated in the event, said Terri McConomy, a community educator with All Children’s.

The day promotes pedestrian and bicycle safety and exercise attempts to reduce pollution around schools.

At Deer Park, 179 students participated, said secretary Liz McAuliffe.

Most students live within a two-mile radius of the campus and either walk to school, ride their bikes or scooters or are driven by their parents. In the lead-up to Walk to School Day, the school passed out information preparing for the day and  encouraged students to participate. A local Publix provided snacks and beverages afterward.

See some of the students commemorating the day, and if you have photos from Deer Park or other participating West Pasco schools, upload them to the site or e-mail Alex.Tiegen@patch.com.

Other West Pasco schools that participated in Walk to School Day include:

Gulfside Elementary
2329 Anclote Boulevard, Holiday

Gulf Trace Elementary
3303 Gulf Trace Boulevard, Holiday

Chasco Elementary
7906 Ridge Rd, Port Richey

James Marlowe Elementary
5642 Cecelia Drive, New Port Richey

Trinity Oaks Elementary
1827 Trinity Oaks Boulevard,Trinity