Local News

SAFETY IN NUMBERS. Alki Elementary School third graders Austin Howell and Will Rasmussen cheer as they lead the march from Bar-S Playfield to their school in celebration of International Walk to School Day. Nearly 40 kids and parents followed behind the bright orange banner. Photo by Steve Shay

Walk to School Day shows safe routes

By Steve Shay

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The message to Alki Elementary School children at Bar-S Playfield Wednesday morning was "Walk this way and nobody gets hurt." That's because it was International Walk to School Day and a safety march from the play field to Alki School was organized. Parents and children marched the six blocks with Mayor Nickels in tow, who was later to announce his "2009 Safe Routes to School" sites at Sanislo Elementary School.

Deb Will, child safety educator, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, helped rally the kids and parents with fists full of stickers and raffle tickets, the prizes provided by co-sponsor, Federal Express.

Will is also coordinator of Safe Kids King County and joined Nancy Woodland, event organizer, Alki School PTA mom, and executive director of WestSide Baby in leading the children in school cheers and song during the festive pre-school event.

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