Keeley L’Heureux, left, 8, asks Fire Chief Dennis Yates if she can hold his stop sign as she and other Norway pupils walk to school Tuesday morning as part of the district’s Walking School Bus program.

NORWAY — Energy levels were high Tuesday morning as more than a dozen Guy E. Rowe Elementary School pupils participated in the school’s Walking School Bus program on the first day of classs.

The nationwide Walking School Bus program was implemented at the school to improve students’ health and to save the Oxford Hills School District money.

The program, entering its third year, invites children in grades one through six who live within half a mile of the school to walk with Rebecca Powell, program coordinator, Fire Chief Dennis Yates and Police Chief Rob Federico.

One student who was itching to start school was Keeley L’Heureux. The 8-year-old third-grader was practically skipping as she voiced her excitement at being able to check books out from the library.

“The library is my favorite, because reading is my favorite thing to do,” she said.

At times, Keeley ran ahead to Yates to ask if she could hold the stop sign he was using to slow traffic.

Despite her excitement, she said she’s already looking forward to the last day of school.

“My family told me that when school is done, we can go to Funtown,” she said, grinning. “I can’t wait!”

mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net

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