Bathgate Elementary receives Congressional Recognition on Walk to School Day

The normal hustle and bustle from cars surrounding Bathgate Elementary School was unusually quiet this morning as the Blue Ribbon school participated in the annual National Walk to School Day event. Instead, the sidewalks were happily filled with children that enjoyed a perfect morning for a school wide event to walk to school.

Over 90% of the school’s 670 school children walked to school alongside their parents, teachers, and Bathgate community, one of the biggest turn outs for the K-5 school in the recent past.With three meeting points set up near the school, the students met up with their classes to walk together as a group. At one meeting point, the Mission Viejo Mayor Cathy Schlicht came in her running shoes and walked alongside Bathgate Principal Shelly Kurtz, and Hannah Hess, representing the District Office of Congresswoman Mimi Walters.

Together they led almost 200 students and parents who walked from the corner of San Rafael and Barcelona to the elementary school. Two other corners, within half a mile from the school, were likewise set up as meeting points with key school teachers and PTA parents as the community walked to school safely. Bathgate’s newly elected student council likewise worked closely with the PTA and teachers to ensure the orderly conduct of the event.

Three classes from Bathgate had every single one of their students walking to school for the event.During the weekly flag assembly before the school, Mayor Schlicht gave a brief message to the students, pointing out that Mission Viejo has long been known for being dedicated to sports and that today’s exercise of walking helps keeping our students on the track for wellness. Schlicht told the students to “continue to make healthy choices, study hard – and maybe one day – YOU could be the Mayor!”

Students and faculty alike wore green and crazy socks to signify that walking to school can be both fun and good for the environment.Principal Shelly Kurtz called on the school children to walk to school not just today, but everyday, as walking promotes a healthy lifestyle, a means to reducing air pollution and traffic, as well as a way to spend quality with a family member before school. Studies show walking and bicycling can improve academic performance and classroom behavior.

Congresswoman Mimi Walters, who is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, had made contact with Bathgate Elementary School to walk with the public school to help raise awareness for the National Safe Routes to School Program. However, with Congress in Session the lawmaker was unable to come in person. Hannah Hess, who participated in today’s highly successful walk on behalf of the Congresswoman, presented a certificate of Congressional Recognition to Bathgate Elementary School noting the school’s outstanding participation and promotion of a healthy lifestyle amongst the school students and community.

Last year, 86% of the Mission Viejo’s school population walked to school for the event, earning Bathgate a third place prize from the national Fire Up Your Feet contest. The blue-ribbon school won a cash prize of $1,700 from Fire Up Your Feet in two separate wellness challenges last school year with the funds being used towards new P.E. equipment and training of school personnel. Combined with this year’s 90% participation and other upcoming events, Bathgate hopes to win first prize this year!