Walk to School Koloa School

Kapa`a Elementary Walking School Bus Summary Report
Get Fit Kauai had a very successful Walk to School Day on Tuesday, May 18, 2010
40 children, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., Council Members Tim Bynum and Lani Kawahara, Bill
Arakaki (Kauai School District superintendent), 10 KPD officers and 7 KPD recruits, several
parents, PTSA members and teachers all enjoyed the 1.4 mile walk from the New Cannery to
Kapa`a Elementary School. The weather cooperated nicely and kids seemed to have a really
good time.
One story to share; Because of KPD's presence and the long line of "walkers", traffic, at times,
came to a stand still. During one of the traffic stand still times, a man driving a SUV with 3
children in the car looked over and saw the walking school bus in progress. He leaned over,
opened the doors of his vehicle and basically pushed his kids out to join the group of us walking
and told them... "Have Fun!" Poor things were a bit scared...one minute they are safe in their
family vehicle and the next thing they know they are out on the street with 50 or so strangers.
KPD Lieutenant Scribner immediately put them at ease by talking their hands and walking with
them. Soon they were laughing and running to catch up to their friends at the front of the bus. It
was wonderful!
At school, a teacher supervised area was set up so children who could not walk to school could
walk AT school before classes and have their name entered into the contest to win a bike
donated by Kauai Cycle and Tours. 16 children choose this route. Healthy Snacks were enjoyed
by all who walked.
The Mayor gave a"Shout Out" to all students who walked and drew the bike contest winner on
morning announcements. After which he carried the bike down to Grade 1 student; Jaedyn
Keawe-Castillo's classroom and presented her with a brand new bike in front of all her
classmates.
Media Coverage
The event drew a great deal of media coverage. Ron Wiley, the morning disc jockey on our local
radio station, KQNG, covered the event (between songs) from 5am -- 10am. He took interview
calls from the Mayor, council members Bynum and Kawahara and, Bill Arakaki. Hawaii Stream
filmed the entire event LIVE and sent a clip to Channel 9 NEWS which aired Tuesday morning at
8am and Tuesday evening at 10pm. Click on http://www.hawaiistream.com for a 5 minute video
of the event.
3 articles appeared in the Garden Island Newspaper; 2 prior to the event and 1 on the day after.
The first article included letters to the editor written by 13 grade 4 students on why it is important
to walk and bike to school and to slow down in school zones. The Walk to School Day event
made Front Page News on Wednesday, May 19th. If you would like to read more about it I have

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Walk
• to
• School
• Koloa
• educational

[TheDakineboi]

yea koloa my school is da best