[Press Release] : Walking School Bus Program kicks off Monday, April 3

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2006

CONTACT: Margy Tonnies
Walking School Bus Coordinator
(573) 864-2556
matonnies at hotmail.com 
or
Ian Thomas
PedNet Executive Director
(573) 445-2928
pednet at pednet.org 

Walking School Bus Program kicks off Monday, 
April 3
									
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - The PedNet Coalition launches its Walking
School Bus (WSB) Program on Monday, April 3. The program is available to
children attending Grant, Russell, Ridgeway, West Boulevard and Lee
Elementary schools and will run from Monday, April 3, through Friday,
June 2. Twelve walking school buses will operate at the five schools.
	The program is set up so families living close to their
child's school will have walking school bus routes that run through
their neighborhoods. For those living farther away, including those
attending Ridgeway and Lee magnet schools, staging posts will be set up
where children can be dropped off for the supervised walk to school. 
	
	More than 20 adult volunteers have been trained as WSB
"drivers" and received background checks through the Missouri
State Highway Patrol.  
	Walking to school is an easy way for children (and adults) to
get the 30-60 minutes of daily physical activity recommended by the
Centers for Disease Control to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the
risk of chronic disease. Other benefits include reduced traffic
congestion and air pollution around schools, increased social
opportunities for both children and adults, and children who are more
focused in the classroom.  
	According to Columbia Public Schools Deputy Superintendent
Jacque Cowherd, "The Walking School Bus is a great project, bringing
the community and schools together with the goal of happy, healthy
kids." 
	Dr. Cowherd will attend a pedestrian safety training to be given
by the Columbia Police Department to the Grasslands Walking School Bus
at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 3, at 1000 Wayne Road, prior to their walk to
Grant Elementary School.
	Funding for this program comes from the Missouri Foundation for
Health's Healthy & Active Communities grant which was awarded to the
Columbia/Boone County Health Department (CBCHD) in late 2005. The PedNet
Coalition is one of many organizations/businesses to collaborate with
the CBCHD to promote physical activity and good nutrition to children
and families within the area.
	If you would like further information on the program or its
routes, please contact Margy Tonnies at (573) 864-2556.

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