Valley Road School walks, bikes to school together
Youth. Valley Road School's students, staff, teachers, parents and community members participated in "Walk and Bike to School Day" in Stanhope on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Stanhope /
| 15 Oct 2019 | 11:33
(Left to right): Noah DeKnight, Jake Palermo, Aaron Cahill and Matthew Rowan are all smiles as they arrive at Valley Road School on foot and on two wheels (
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(Left to right): TransOptions representatives Lisa Leone, Jeremy Szeluge and Melissa McCutcheon await the arrival of walking students, ready to point out the benefits of walking to school. (
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The air was a bit sticky but the atmosphere was festive as Valley Road School students and parents virtually formed a "walking school bus" on International Walk and Bike to School Day in Stanhope on Oct. 2, 2019. Some rode bikes, others walked while carrying school projects, and some carried pets or pushed strollers. The event was promoted by TransOptions, Inc., an organization that advocates and implements public health and safety programs.
TransOptions representatives Lisa Leone, Jeremy Szeluge and Melissa McCutcheon handed out mood pencils, bookmarks, and bracelets. They also had students measure moisture and pollen, which on this day was in the moderate range.
McCutcheon told students that the purpose of having them record the air quality was to highlight the environmental impact of walking vs driving.
Superintendent Steve Hagemann, arrived with, what parent and staff member Carissa Berkowicz described, as “the largest group of walkers we’ve ever had." School Principal, Mrs. Alicia Finklea-DiCataldo greeted arriving families and took photos. Dr. Steven McHugh, the school’s new Business Administrator, welcomed walking students in the crosswalk as they arrived, while Mr. Gil Moscatello, the President of the Stanhope Board of Education walked to the school.
The timing of Walk to School day coincided with the school's was health initiative, "Fall Back into Shape," in which teams aim for 10,000 steps per day. First grade teacher Susan Davis walked students, accumulating 6,589 steps through mid-morning, while Mr. Hagemann logged 4,400 on his trek through the local streets.
The school’s participation in Walk to School events is part of its commitment to TransOptions’ Safe Routes to School programs which include Traffic Safety Town and Ready to Walk and Roll; educational programs brought into the school by the organization. The Stanhope School District has participated in these programs since 2014 and has attained Silver Level Recognition for its commitment and support by walking and bicycling to school. The district will strive to achieve Gold Level status in the future.