It was a perfect way to start a Marvelous Monday. Dozens of students, parents, teachers and other members of the Orange County community took part in Walk to School day, a program geared to re-enforcing pedestrian safety, community building and exercise.
It was the first such event held at Hillsborough Elementary School. Principal Christine Kreider deemed it a success.
“There were lots of smiling faces,” she said. “We even had neighbors in the community come out of their homes to cheer on our students.”
Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver was joined by Orange County School Board members Will Atherton and Brenda Stephens, who walked alongside students. School Superintendent Dr. Monique Felder also participated, as did members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The walk worked in concert with an event organized by Safe Kids Orange County at the school the previous Thursday. The organization partnered with Safe Kids North Carolina to provide copies of the book “Clifford Walks to School” to 241 students at Hillsborough Elementary. The students, who were assembled in the school’s gym, were also visited by Clifford, the Big Red Dog. Clifford visited other classrooms throughout the school.
Another special guest, N.C. Congressman David Price, visited the school and read the book to the students.
Lt. Brian “Bubba” Whitehurst from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, offered spirited and animated explanations of safety rules.
Safe Kids Orange County is a grant-funded program led by UNC Health Care Trauma Program, which provides staff, operation support and other resources to achieve its goal of keeping kids safe.
