On Wednesday, October 7, the Baltimore City of Transportation (BCDOT), the Safe Kids Coalition and FedEx workers honored the annual Walk to School Day, a 12-year national event.
A steady stream of 298 students from Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School walked out of their playground in an educational processional.
A steady stream of 298 students from Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School walked out of their playground in an educational processional.
They were led by Baltimore City police officers on horseback, as well as McGruff the crime dog, Bernie the Fire Dog, and Buckle Bear.
They Barrister students wore commemorative buttons and stickers that read “Walk This Way” and “Walk Safely”, and carried construction paper drawings demonstrating walking tips for pedestrian safety.
They returned to the main entrance of the school building for a brief rally, singing, “The Traffic Light Song,” led by Baltimore Safety City coordinator Wanda Harris.
“I feel it was a very successful event – to promote how important it is for children to learn pedestrian safety,” said Astriña Calame Director, Safety Education, Safety Division, Safe Routes to School at BCDOT.
“It is a very important day,” said seven-year Barrister principal Bridget Dean who has participated in the program for the last three years, creating school safe zones, and implementing regular lunchtime neighborhood walks so students can practice safety rules.
For the past week, Barrister teachers and administrators had engaged their students in lessons and instructional activities regarding safety, health and the environment.
Safety rules include: wearing bright clothing, never crossing traffic without an adult, looking left-right-left before crossing, and never running in the street while crossing.
Although a dozen other schools participate every year in the festivities simultaneously, only one school is picked to host site.
“[Barrister] did a phenomenal job,” said Karen Hardingham, coordinator of Safe Kids Baltimore, which is part of Safe Kids Worldwide – an international coalition of 600 dedicated to childhood pedestrian safety and accidental injury prevention.
Children and adults in 5000 schools throughout all 50 states participated in the worldwide celebration which involved 40 countries.
In Baltimore city last year, there were 846 crashes involving pedestrians; 200 of which resulted in fatalities. Youth under 16 years of age made up 14 percent.
“People need to be more aware of pedestrians,” said Hardingham. “They don’t have the mindset, and they need to get it.”
Subscribe to this comment's feed
