(Mason City) – The Mason City Community School District’s Walking School Bus Program is gearing up for the 2013-2014 school year. Registration for students and volunteers is now open at www.cghealth.com.
The Walking School Bus Program utilizes adult volunteers to supervise children as they walk to school. The program is aimed to not only increase physical activity among students, but reduce traffic around the schools and offer parents a safe means for their child(ren) to travel to school. The walking school bus routes are established within one mile of the schools and allow children living along the routes to join the supervised group, as the walking school buses pass their house. For children who live outside of the walking routes, designated walking bus stops are identified for children to be dropped off to join the group. Participating elementary schools are Harding Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Jefferson Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary (all in Mason City).
“What a wonderful opportunity for students and adults to start their day the active way,” said Kelli Huinker, Health Promotion Service Manager,Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “This program continues to be a benefit to our community and youth, as we engage more students and volunteers each year, but we continue to seek more participation.”
The fall session runs from September 3 through October 25 and the spring session resumes March 31. Interested adult volunteers are encouraged to be available at least 1-2 days a week from 7:15-8:00 am to serve as a Walking School Bus Leader.
For more information about the Walking School Bus Program, visit www.cghealth.com or call (641) 421-9312.
Since this is a school funded program, who is responsible if a student is killed or injured on the way to school?