PALMDALE – About two hundred students at Cimarron Elementary School were ecstatic to have Mickey Mouse, Mini Mouse, and Hello Kitty walking them to school Thursday morning.
The walk was part of International Walk to School Day, a countrywide effort aimed at creating safer and improved streets, healthier habits, and encouraging a more active America.
Cimarron students met at the Kaiser Permanente parking lot at the corner of 45th Street and East Avenue S at 7:30 a.m.
They walked about three blocks to school, accompanied by costumed characters, sheriff’s deputies, and school officials, including Palmdale School District Trustee Sandy Corrales-Eneix.
“It’s to get the kids to learn how to use city sidewalks and crosswalks, and to be safe,” said Principal Susie Allen. “We just got these brand new sidewalks done right before school started, and in a couple of months we should be getting our crossing lights in the streets, so everything will be perfect.”
International Walk to School Day started in 1997 in Chicago, and by 2002 had grown to encompass all 50 states with over three million students, teachers, and parents walking. Locally, Cimarron Elementary School was one of two schools that took part in International Walk to School Day.
Students at Golden Poppy Elementary School in Palmdale walked to school Wednesday as part of International Walk to School Day.
The City of Palmdale participated in the effort by giving away backpacks and water bottles to walking students and parents.