Published: October 02, 2008 04:09 pm         

Walking event a good step

Next Wednesday is the annual International Walk to School Day.

Students across the country and around the world are being encouraged to get to school under their own power.

Locally, the event is being sponsored by CCS, the PTO and the village’s Pedestrian Safety Committee. Students may walk directly to school or join other students and adults at the AAA office at the corner of Elm and Chestnut Streets at 7:45 a.m. and walk from there to the school.

According to its website, the annual International Walk to School Day is ``aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America — one community at a time.’’

That goal is an admirable one and one the village has been working on since the Walking Example Group started to call attention to pedestrian problems in the village as it worked to promote a more walkable village.

But the day has more to it than just walkable communities.

It seems especially fitting given concerns about rising obesity rates among students. The concern is great enough that the school will be tracking the body mass index of students for a new State Education Department study.

Walking is an excellent and inexpensive way to peel off some extra pounds and encouraging students to walk more would be an easy way to address concerns.

Other benefits include a reduction in traffic congestion and pollution. Anyone who happens by the schools as students arrive in the morning and depart in the afternoon will agree that streets and parking lots are congested by parents dropping off and picking up their children. And often, those engines are idling while the parents wait — needlessly burning fuel and spewing exhaust.

School Superintendent Mary Jo McPhail said the school is continuing to encourage parents to allow their children to walk to school, particularly in the case of students living in the village.

``Not only is it better for the children, but it also reduces traffic congestion,’’ she said. We couldn’t agree more and hope parents and students participate in the event and continue to work to make the village a safer, more walkable community.