Children and teachers from the Saints Peter & Paul School on Dover Street created a Walking School Bus program to give children the opportunity to walk to school in a safe and enjoyable way. Teacher Jenn Souza leads a group of children from the Brooks parking lot on Plymouth Avenue on the half-mile route to the school each day, accompanied by several teachers who also volunteer to assist. "It's a wonderful experience," quips school principal Kathy Burt who often accompanies the group. "Not only do we get some much-needed heart-healthy exercise, but the kids and the adults also enjoy the chance to chat and build friendships along the way." Parents find that it's easier dropping them off in the large parking lot than trying to jockey down narrow streets, often getting stuck for a much longer time waiting for other children in cars ahead of them. The Walking School Bus concept is part of the national Safe Routes to School  program, which began in the 1970s in Odense, Denmark, over concern for the safety of school children walking and bicycling to school.
The oncept spread internationally, with programs now in other parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. The first Wednesday in October is International Walk to School Day. For more information about Sts. Peter & Paul's program, contact Principal Kathy Burt at 508-672-7258.
 

(Top row, left) Sean LaFrance brings his son, Grant, to the Brooks parking lot where he joins the group walk to Sts. Peter & Paul School about a half mile away. (Top row, center and right) Teacher Jenn Souza, who made hats for herself and Principal Kathy Burt, leads the group each morning. (Middle row, left) Chelsey Roussel and Katy Sheehan enjoy "driving" the walking bus. (Middle row, right) Principal Kathy Burt enjoys the chance to talk with the children informally on the way to school. (Bottom row, left) Three students walk hand-in-hand and enjoy singing songs together. (Bottom row, center) The group arrives at the school to greet parents of other children who are considering joining the group. (Bottom row, right) Students line up to receive a plastic "foot" token that they can collect each day for participating in the walk.