To celebrate the event, students of Rashkis Elementary School in Chapel Hill gathered in a small grass area to the side of the main road entrance to the Meadowmont community and walked together into the school.
Many of the older students were carrying flags representing their countries of origin. The kindergarteners led the way, with teachers, parents, police officers, firefighters, EMS workers and cheerleaders walking alongside them and the rest of the students. Chapel Hill firetrucks and police cars followed behind the students as they walked the short distance to their school.
Rashkis Elementary School marked the event with the presence of a drum line, UNC cheerleaders and emergency workers such as firefighters, EMS workers and police officers.
The event aims to promote safety in communities and also healthy lifestyle choices.
Assistant Principal Christina Richardson said she is happy about the opportunity for students to get excited about physical education.
“For our school, we try to make sure that our students are as healthy as possible and we give them avenues to engage in physical activity outside of the regular 30 minutes of gym class,” said Richardson.
The event is also a way for students to get to know their community’s public servants by seeing them support the walk to school.
“It gives the opportunity for kids and parents to join together coming to this, as well as bringing law enforcement, fire and EMS,” said Cpl. Jonathan Daniel, community relations and crime prevention officer at Orange County Sheriff’s Office.