VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a news release from ON THE MOVE. “Walking and biking to school can be part of the solution to be COVID safe with the re-opening of schools. By walking or biking to school families can also contribute to the health of the community by leaving space on the school bus for those who need it. There are also many benefits for mental and physical health for students when they walk to school.

Valley City Police Chief, Phil Hatcher, states, “The Valley City Police Department is very supportive of children walking and biking to school and will be out and about before and after school ensuring children have a safe route to and from school each day.”

The short walk or bike ride to school allows time for students to “be a kid” at a time when there are so many changes happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It gives students time for physical activity as well as a sense of responsibility and independence. Children/teens need 60 minutes of physical activity every day and walking to school can be a great way to help children/teens meet that goal. Physical activity is also associated with improved academic performance in kids.

How far can children/teens safely walk to school? Experts from the Safe Routes to School national partnership agree that a half mile is as far as most kindergarteners will walk happily, a mile is a reasonable length for older elementary school students, and that 1.5 miles is an acceptable distance for high schoolers.

Parents may want to consider organizing a “walking school bus” which is a group of students from the same neighborhood who are supervised by adults and walk to school together. Parents organize a schedule and take turns walking the neighborhood kids to school.

For families that live a greater distance from the schools, you may want to consider using a remote drop-off location 3-4 blocks from the school also known as the “3-block challenge”. This will help to keep children at a safe physical distance from others who may also be getting dropped off at the same time. This can also help free up congestion around the school (be safer due to COVID-19) and decrease the morning drop-off line.

“There have been many changes for all of us, including the students, and this is an opportunity to set new healthy habits (to be COVID safe) as we head back to the classroom, by walking and biking to school,” states Josh Johnson, Valley City Public Schools Superintendent.

ON THE MOVE at City County Health District is partnering with Valley City Public Schools to encourage students to walk and bike to school to be COVID safe.”

Feature Photo: Sean Hagen, School Resource Officer at Valley City Public Schools, asks all drivers to slow down and yield to students and parents who are walking and biking to school.