Walk to school day promotes exercise

Almost 50 students from All Saints and about 30 from Sacred Heart schools in Omaha took to the streets Oct. 10 to celebrate Walk to School Day.

The students, along with principals and teachers, walked short routes near their schools as a public display marking the special day, proclaimed by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert to encourage students to walk or bike to school as a way to be more active while reducing traffic around schools.

As part of the activity, students received Safe Routes to School maps, courtesy of the Metro Area Planning Agency and Live Well Omaha, as well as backpack reflectors.

“I think the event was a good introduction to the neighborhoods around the schools, where the crosswalks are and how to cross safely, getting students to be more comfortable with it,” said Sheena Helgenberger, grants manager for Live Well Omaha and director of Live Well Omaha Kids.