Valhalla’s Kensico School Participates in International Walk to School Day

October 6, 2004

The Valhalla School District kicked off the Fit Kids Program Wednesday, October 6, 2004 with the "International Kids-Walk-to-School Day" campaign.

Over 168 children from the Kensico Public School - grades 3, 4, and 5 walked to school at 8:00 AM with the support and participation of 50 adult volunteers. Town Supervisor Robert Meehan,  Valhalla School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Kelly and Kensico School Principal Mr. Sal Miele joined the children on this first annual walk to school event in Valhalla, NY.  The Volunteer Ambulance Corp, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, many parents and Kensico School teachers supported, joined and made this event possible as well as safe. Several children expressed their enthusiasm in being part of this healthy lifestyle event. Many children carried the social marketing message with them for the remainder of the school day with their balloons and posters.

According to CDC, the anticipated benefits of the Walk-to-School-Campaign include:

• Increased levels of daily physical activity for children
• Increased likelihood that children and adults will choose to walk and bike for other short distance trips.
• Improved neighborhood safety
• Fewer cars traveling through the neighborhood.
• Fewer cars congesting the pick-up and drop-off points at school
• Friendlier neighborhoods as people interact with one another more.

Kensico School plans to continue the health promotion message to the children, their families and the Valhalla community during the school year.

Kensico School PTA

Health, Safety, and Nutrition Committee

Co-chair persons

Dr. Karen Lee and Diane Lombardi, MA,RD,CDN