School 3 Joins International Walk to School Day

Students of School 3 gathered early Wednesday morning for the Walk to School Day in the USA. Two starting points were set up: residents from the Northern part of Belleville met at the Recreation Department in Joralemon Street, led by HSA vice president Ana Courtney; while those from the Southern end met at the corner of Joralemon Street and Horblower Avenue, led by teachers Nancy Bevere and Sherri Zangari.

BOE's Bill Freda and Councilman Vincent Cozzarelli also joined the students in walking to school. Lt. Gerard Corbo of the BPD and the crossing guards provided safety assistance.

The students arrived in school by 8:30 a.m. greeted by school principal Mrs. Lucy Demikoff, and provided light refreshments by the Home and School Association.

Walk to School was originated by the Partnership for a Walkable America (following U.K.'s lead) to promote walking among communities, with aims of creating safer routes for walking and bicycling, enhancing children's health, and improving air quality and the environment.

"We've been doing this for five years now," said School 3 HSA president Gaby Meany. "It's a good way to encourage kids and parents to walk to school and have a nice time doing it together."

Substiture teacher Joe Della Ferra recounts, "In my days, I used to walk about a mile to school everyday. Today is the one day when kids get a little bit of exercise."