NAHANT — Students and their families braced the cold Wednesday morning for Johnson Elementary School’s Winter Walk and Roll to School Day.
The event is recognized on both the state and national level as promoting a “safe, healthy, and active lifestyle.” Police officers kept a watchful eye on the roads as children made their way to school on foot and by bike in the 27-degree-Fahrenheit weather.
Principal Kevin Andrews is no stranger to the practice. Now in his eighth year as principal, Andrews commutes to school on his bike every single day.
“I always promote getting to school on foot or on wheel,” Andrews said. “I hope it encourages kids to take part.”
Andrews said that the event helps the environment and allows members of the Johnson School’s community to fortify bonds with each other. He noted that the mostly empty parking lot would normally be backed up on any other day. While kindergarten student Andrew Kelly did not make the full 1.5-mile walk from his home to school, his mother, Elizabeth Kelly, said that he had no shortage of enjoyment.
“It’s such a fun way,” Elizabeth Kelly said. “We drove halfway and then finished strong… It’s nice to have something different in the morning.”
The Golden Shoe Award will be given Thursday to the grade that had the highest participation in Winter Walk and Roll to School Day. Andrews recalled that the school received recognition from the state for its high level of engagement after 90% of the school’s 140 students participated in the event in a previous year.
Andrews said that he is planning a Dress and Walk to School Day close to Halloween, which students would wear costumes for.
