October 2, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

M.E. Pearson Elementary Celebrates National Walk to School Day

Kansas City, KS: National Walk to School Day will be celebrated in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) on Wednesday, October 3 at M.E. Pearson Elementary School, 310 N. 11th St., in Kansas City, Kansas. All students and their parents are being encouraged to walk to and from school, and 3rd graders will participate in "Walk This Way," a safety fair organized by Safe Kids Metro KC and the Maternal and Child Health Coalition of Greater Kansas City.

From 8:30 – 8:50 am, and again from 4:00 to 4:20 pm, teachers will be stationed at strategic intersections on major routes to and from school, in order to encourage students and their parents to walk to school. At 9:15 am, 3rd grade students will gather on the playground for stretching exercises, and will then walk together to Bethany Park. At the park, beginning at 9:45, students will go through six or seven different safety stations, learning about things such as crossing streets safely, dog safety, and seatbelt use. The fire department will also have a safety station.

This project grew out of a collaboration between M.E. Pearson Elementary and Banneker Elementary schools on a "Safe Routes to School" grant last year. Other partners include the Unified Government of Wyandotte County's Transportation and Health Departments, and Safe Kids Metro KC. FedEx is the corporate sponsor.