Students Ready to Step Off for Walk to School Day

More than 100 students are expected to walk to school together Thursday morning, and staff are inviting the public to join in.

Students from Hampton's Centre and Martson schools will walk, skateboard and bike their way to class alongside teachers, administrators, district staff and parents as a part of Walk to School Day, which promotes healthy living initiatives and raises awareness in conjunction with the Safe Routes to School program.

"Obviously it’s a very short distance, but it’s also a message about the importance of having some outdoor activity of some sort and supporting our safe routes to school," said SAU 90 Superintendent Kathleen Murphy. "I think it's a wonderful opportunity... It supports a notion we need to continue."

The event begins at 8 a.m. Thursday. Centre and Marston parents and students are asked to be at no later than 8 a.m. in order to depart on foot shortly thereafter for their respective buildings.

Students can also join the walking school bus along the way if they wish. The Centre School group will walk south down Academy Avenue before turning west on Winnacunnet Road. The Marston School group will walk north up Academy Avenue before turning east on High Street and north on Marston Way.

Hampton has held at least one or two Walk to School days every year for more than 12 years, according to Marston School Assistant Principal Dan Mitchell. in October.

More information about Walk to School Day can be found here, while more information about Safe Routes to School can be found here.