An estimated 3,000 kids at 14 beach cities schools hopped aboard Walking School Buses Wednesday morning and skipped to school with their friends, parents and pets. Wednesday was International Walk to School Day and the start of the Walking School Buses’ fourth year in the beach cities.
The program is part of the Beach Cities Health District’s Blue Zones healthy community program.
“Some of the 37 routes run daily. Some run just a few days a week, We need two parent volunteers for each Walking School Bus,” explained Andrea Giacoli, a BCHD analyst and dietician who walked with Hermosa View School kids on Wednesday. Routes are approximately one mile and require parent volunteers to commit about an hour each morning, Giacoli said.
Walking School Buses will save an estimated 15,000 car trips. Students who participated logged more than 45,000 miles and burned 1.8 million excess calories, or the equivalent of 150,000 bags of Cheetos, according BCHD spokesperson Eric Garner.
The program has social benefits as well, BCHD Chief Medical Officer Lisa Santora noted.
“It’s about being part of a tribe. Too many parents don’t know the other parents from their school, so coming on this walk allows them to connect with people who are sharing the same experience — raising elementary school children,” Santora said.
Parents interested in starting new Walking School Bus routes, or helping on existing routes should contact Staci Boretzky, BCHD School Health Programs Coordinator, at (310) 374-3426.
Following is a list of the 14 beach city schools participating in the Walking School Bus Program.
Redondo Beach: Alta Vista, Beryl Heights, Birney, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Tulita, Washington.
Hermosa Beach: Hermosa View.
Manhattan Beach: American Martyrs, Grand View, Pacific, Robinson, Meadows.
