Westfield Students to Celebrate National Walk-to-School Day Tomorrow

Elementary school children throughout the Westfield School District will have a chance to celebrate Walk-to-School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

The B.R.A.K.E.S. Group (Bikers, Runners, And Kids are Entitled to Safety) in conjunction with the Westfield Town Council and school administrators encourages children and their parents to start their day with a walk rather than a car ride.

Six of the seven elementary schools will recognize the national initiative. Lincoln School students will not walk to school but rather will participate in other BRAKES-organized events in the future, such as crossing guard recognition. 

The aim of the day is to make walking to school a regular habit for many families.  To make it easier for parents who cannot walk their children to school on a regular basis, the BRAKES Group, in conjunction with the Westfield Town Council and administration continues to support a program called the Walking School Bus at each of the six elementary schools.   

The program has been running for approximately five years and was funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as part of its Safe Routes to Schools initiative.

A host of local "celebrities," including Acting Mayor Jo Ann Neylan, Deputy Fire Chief David Kelly, Sergeant Jason EcErlean, Detective Lisa Perrotta, Town Councilman Mark LoGrippo, Tamaques' Tammy the Tiger, and the six elementary school principals:  Marc Biunno (McKinley), Dr. Eileen Cambria (Franklin), Michael Cullen (Tamaques), Joseph Malanga (Wilson), Jeanette Munoz (Jefferson), and Dr. Andrew Perry (Washington), will escort the lucky raffle winning children.

Any questions can be answered by your local school's PTO representative.