Walk to School Days in Salem

Bates and Carlton Elementary Schools will kick off a series of Spring Walk to School Days on May on Wednesday, May 6 with assistance from Safe Routes to School Salem and Mass in Motion Salem,

Bates will start at the entrance to Greenlawn Cemetery and will be led by the Bates PTO and school staff. Carlton’s walking route walk will start at two locations: Salem Common (Forrester and Washington Square intersection), and at the Jefferson Apartments.

Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Melissa Wilson, will be leading the groups along with parents, grandparents, and school staff.

There will be other Walk to School Day events scheduled throughout the month of May at other public schools in Salem.

There is much scientific evidence documents the critical importance of exercise to children’s physical and mental well-being, according to Salem school officials.. A study from the Centers for Disease Control credits exercise with improved “academic achievement, academic behavior, and cognitive skills and attitudes.”

The direct link between exercise and academic success is the catalyst behind one of Saltonstall’s approaches to MCAS success.

“We walk them around the grounds before the tests,” said Lisa Duffy,school nurse, in a news release.

Melissa Wilson, Salem’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator, has been reaching out to all the elementary schools and Collins Middle School as well as parents and community stakeholders to motivate and support Walk to School Day planning.

“I’m excited about laying the foundation for students to increase the days that they walk/bike/roll to school and welcome input from any interested party,” Wilson said.

Wilson is working on encouraging all schools to join in the fun this spring. She can be reached at: melzwilson@hotmail.com or contact John Pelletier at Mass in Motion Salem at jpelletier@salem.com or (978) 619-5604.