September 30, 2010 Contact: Matt Splett
Media Coordinator
splettm@health.missouri.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 882-5663
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Safe Kids Columbia will host International Walk to School Day at the Hallsville Primary School and Hallsville Intermediate School on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
The walk-to-school event will begin at 7:15 a.m. at the Hallsville Community Center. Parents, teachers, students and community leaders will join together to make the nearly one-mile walk from the Hallsville Community Center to the two Hallsville schools.
Following the walk, Safe Kids Columbia will host an assembly at Hallsville Intermediate School. Speakers at the assembly will review important pedestrian safety information, teach children about animal safety, provide fun interactive games and activities, and include a visit from public safety officials and T.J., the University of Missouri Children’s Hospital mascot.
“Safe Kids Columbia encourages all the residents of Hallsville to get involved with International Walk to School Day,” said Andrea Kearns, interim Safe Kids Columbia coordinator and coordinator of injury prevention and trauma education outreach at University of Missouri Health Care. “Together we can promote pedestrian safety and community awareness about keeping our kids safe when they walk to school.”
In addition, Safe Kids Columbia, in coordination with the Missouri Department of Transportation, is upgrading all the pedestrian walkway signs in Hallsville. The Safe Kids Columbia improvements will replace six existing crosswalk signs and add six additional signs located near Hallsville’s schools. The crosswalk signs feature a reflective design that improves driver visibility and creates greater awareness of the crosswalk’s location.
Since 1997, communities around the United States have been celebrating International Walk to School Day. Last year, events were held in all 50 states.
For more information about Hallsville’s International Walk to School Day event, please contact Kearns at (573) 884-6381. |
