My daughter is with me today for Take Your Child to Work Day, a program from the National Institutes of Health. Ellie is fortunate to be in a Safer Routes to School program at Buckman Elementary and has completed Pedestrian Safety Education classes three times over the past two years. What follows is a note from Ellie (who’s 9); yes, I have put her to work!
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Hi I’m Ellie. I walk to school every day. To walk to school by yourself you feel proud about crossing big streets on a very big road. You also feel good for yourself knowing that you do well.
This is how I walk to school every day. I stop at the crosswalk and I look both ways to see if any cars are coming. If there are, I don’t go. If there aren’t, I do.
When I was walking to school one time, I felt scared like I wouldn’t know how to cross those big streets. But when I got to the crosswalk I felt like every car in the world would stop for me to cross the street. Knowing that I made it, I hurried off to school. You see, I know how to cross the street!
Walking with a child to school actually helps your child with school so they feel more confident in their work. And that’s why you should walk with your child to school every day. And maybe you should teach your child to walk to school every day when they’re old enough.
Thanks for reading. Bye!
Ellie, you have convinced me — someday when I have kids, I will walk them to school. Hopefully the school will be close enough to walk!
It’s too bad that most kids don’t even consider walking to school. You, however, have shown me that at least there are some good people in the world who diligently walk to school.
As a student myself, I ride my bike every day to high school. Unfortunately, I’m one of the few who do.
oh thats awesome John! I ride my bike too! – Ellie
Hey Ellie, thanks for sharing your thougths on this!
Ellie, You have me sold! Now all I need to do is wait for little Samantha to grow a little. Great job Ellie!
Ellie,
Thank you for taking the time to share your story and for doing so in such an educational and practical way. From reading your story I know what to do to be safe walking to school and I understand more fully how it feels for someone your age to have this freedom.
Ellie,
Having known you and your parents for some time it is not surprising that you are so capable. I am proud of you and hope that you help other kids your age start walking to school as well.
Uncle Coach
Ellie,
Thank you for sharing your story. You are awesome!
Lisa, Rob & Henry
Dearest Ellie,
Not only do you know how to walk/ride safely, you also know how to write clearly about what you have done. I’m SO proud of you!
Love,
Zanny
Great Job Ellie!!!!We are so proud of you.Maybe your story will help other kids feel comfortable about walking to school as well>We Love You!
thanx guys!!!i luv u zanny,aunt caroline,uncle rob,sophie.robert and everyone else!!!!!