NORWAY — The Walking School Bus got off to a successful start Tuesday morning as more than a dozen youngsters from the Rowe Elementary School jumped on board.
“It went great,” said Transportation Director Dave Fontaine.
A total of 18 students were “picked up” by the walking school bus by handful of adults. The program continues daily on a volunteer basis through the end of the school year.
The program is a prelude to next fall, when all students in grades one through six who live in a designated area — about a half mile from the school — will no longer be bused and must walk to school year-round. Trained and vetted volunteers will accompany the estimated 50 to 60 students who live in the area.
The nationwide Walking School Bus program, which is being implemented to improve students’ health and save the school district money, is strictly voluntary for students this spring but will be mandatory for first- through sixth-graders in the fall.
At 8 a.m. Tuesday, the “bus” took off from Ari’s Pizza at the corner of Main and Whitman streets, led by Saara Leduc, School Administrative District 17 physical activities coordinator, Rebecca Powell, coordinator of the Walking School Bus program for Rowe Elementary School in Norway, and Fontaine. On Whitman Street, the group picked up several students and were met by Principal Daniel Hart, who continued the walk to school with the students.
First-grade student Ricky Perry said he was glad to be “on board,” but tired.
“Yep,” he answered, when asked if he was having fun.
By 8:08 a.m., slightly ahead of schedule at the corner of Beal and Cottage streets, the group picked up more students and were met by Police Chief Robert Federico, who helped cross them at the intersection and continued to walk to school with the group.
The program is based on a national model that targets elementary students. Portland was the first Maine school district to use it.
State law leaves the decision of when and where to bus students up to the local board of directors.
SAD 17 traditionally provided transportation services to all students in the interest of student safety. Elementary students are advised to walk up to a half mile, and middle and high school students are allowed to walk up to one mile to and from the school bus, according to transportation department guidelines.
Parents who want to volunteer or who have questions can call Rebecca Powell at 393-7373. Volunteers must attend a one-hour training session and agree to a criminal background check.
Parents and students will be able to see a demonstration of the program in August before the program becomes mandatory.
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