Walks to school scheduled

About 2,500 students from Fairview, El Vista, Franklin, Hughson, Shackelford, Alberta Martone, Empire, Bret Harte and Orville Wright elementary schools will be walking to school this month along with parents, teachers and community leaders. In 2008, more than 1,900 students participated.

This year, officials expect 2,500 to do so. Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling by raising community awareness and teaching children how to be safe pedestrians.

The events emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment, and building connections between families, schools and the community.

Members of the Stanislaus County Safe Communities Coalition, law enforcement and Stanislaus County Health Services Agency staff will be walking with the children to show their support for the program.