By April Siese
October 3, 2011 11:45 AM
In celebration of International Walk to School day, the Mission’s Marshall Elementary School is pulling out all the stops, with Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Jane Kim, Marshall Principal Peter Avila, Rec and Park Dept. Director Phil Ginsburg, Walk SF Exec. Director Elizabeth Stampe, SFMTA Exec. Director Ed Reiskin, and Dept. of Public Health Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator Ana Validzic all showing up to encourage students to make a commitment to staying active and walk to school.
All in all, 44 schools across SF will be participating in the day, but Marshall’s the one that is “going to be representing the District for a media event,” the school says on its site.
Though the official walking part of the event begins at 8:10am, parents and students are encouraged to arrive at Kidpower Park (on Hoff Street between 16th and 17th) at around 7:45am for a warmup before hitting the streets.
“Walking school buses” will take students from playground to classroom with prizes and celebrations along the way. The event is sponsored by Walk San Francisco, whose goal is to make SF a more pedestrian-friendly city for all.
“In addition to the central event at Marshall,” says Stampe, “many Supervisors are walking to their districts’ schools.” So keep your eye out for your own elected official Wednesday morning!
What: International Walk to School Day
Where: the walk beings at Kidpower Park on Hoff St, between 16th and 17th and ends at Marshall Elementary School on Capp St. between 16th and 17th.
When: Wednesday, October 5 from 7:45am to 8:40am
Cost: Just a little bit of exercise.