The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program promotes healthy alternatives for children and parents in their travel to and from school. It educates students, parents and community members on the value of walking and bicycling for travel to and from school. on April 28, 2009, Matthew Wall of MassRIDES Safe Routes to School program spoke to students and teachers at the Viveiros Elementary School about the possibility of creating a Safe Routes program at the school. School Principal Kristen Farias introduced Mr. Wall who talked with children about pedestrian and school safety and explored with them the possibility of their walking to school. The vast majority of elementary school children are now transported by automobile, resulting in major traffic problems, and depriving children of an important opportunity to engage in healthy activity before and after school. Planning on a Safe Routes program for the Viveiros and other schools is currently in the works. Click here and here for photos of last year's pilot walk-to-school programs. For more information about the program, contact Children In Balance Project Manager Marcia Picard at 508-324-2228. (Photos courtesy Marcia Picard)
 

(Top row, left) Student Emily Donaldson calls for children to be quiet prior to the presentation in the Viveiros School gymnasium. (Top row, center and right) Viveiros Assistant Principal Melissa Homol introduces Matthew Wall, School Outreach Coordinator, MA Safe Routes to School, who talked to the children about how they get to school. (Middle row, left) Isaiah Cabral sits between teachers Elaine Branco and Kathy Valentine who are next to substitute teacher Adam Miranda and parent liaison Lucy Medeiros as they listen to the presentation. (Middle row, right) School Principal Kristen Farias talks about the possibility of starting a walk-to-school program in October 2009. (Bottom row, center) Fall River School Department Chief Operating Officer Tom Coogan, who oversees school transportation, listens to the presentation.
 

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