Westfield Elementary Students Take A Walk - To School

WESTFIELD, NJ - Fitness and fellowship was the theme in the Westfield School District Wednesday as more than 2,500 elementary students and their families celebrated Walk to School Day.

Organized by the Westfield Parent Teacher Council and the BRAKES Group (Bikers, Runners, and Kids are Entitled to Safety), the event is modeled after International Walk to School Day, a global effort involving communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day.

In Westfield, students in grades 1-5 skipped, hopped, and walked to their school. Some received special escorts after entering and winning a raffle for the chance to walk with a police officer, principal, school mascot, or other local dignitary.

Jefferson fourth grader Pedro Puchkarew Do Nascimento was greeted at his front door by Mayor Shelley Brindle who escorted him to school, while second grader Kobi Rodrigues won the chance to be accompanied by Jefferson principal Susie Hung.

At Tamaques, mascot Tammi the Tiger joined in the fun and at Wilson, third grader Andrew Roofener was the winner of “Walk to School with a Firefighter,” escorted by Battalion Chief Robert Sawicki. Each of the six elementary schools had banners for students to sign and “I Walked” stickers provided by Weichert Realtors.

BRAKES is an organization that works to promote safe walking and biking routes for Westfield pedestrians of all ages.

(Photo 1: From left, Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, 4th grader Pedro Puchkarew Do Nascimento, 2nd grader Kobi Rodrigues and Jefferson School principal Susie Hung on Walk to School Day on Oct 3.
Photo courtesy of the Westfield Public Schools.)

(Photo 2: Washington 1st grader Violet Hakala and her brother, Tyler, a 4th grader, receive a special escort – Washington School principal Andrew Perry – on Walk to School Day on Oct. 3. Courtesy of BRAKES.)

(Photo 3: Tamaques mascot Tammi the Tiger joins principal David Duelks and students as they hold up a banner signed by all those who walked to school on Oct. 3. Courtesy of BRAKES.)

(Photo: Wilson 3rd grader Andrew Roofener was the winner of “Walk to School with a Firefighter,” escorted by Battalion Chief Robert Sawicki on Oct. 3. Courtesy of BRAKES.)

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