Brunner School Stays In Step With "Int'l Walk To School Day"

Yesterday, Wednesday Oct. 6, was "International Walk To School Day". And over 3200 schools across the nation participated in this event aimed at promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, including Scotch Plain's own Brunner elementary school. 

Brunner parents and kids showed up at school on foot -- some wearing a pedometers to keep track of their steps.

About 20 students, along with Sgt. Breo of the SP Police, walked from the corner of Redwood and Muir to Brunner holding a banner saying "Brunner walks to stay fit".  

Brunner mom, Jill Brenner, an event organizer, was struck with the enthusiasm of students who are using pedometers to track steps. The kids were comparing notes and boasting of the number of steps covered.

Brenner said that each student is given a tally sheet to record their daily steps. The totals are then entered onto a U.S. map.  It will be interesting for the students to see their steps add up and they will be able to gauge whether they had walked far enough to cover a state-to-state trip, say.

There are prizes for students who are most consistent in tracking and recording their steps, said Brenner. Such creative ways of tracking their physical activity have excited the students and have encouraged their being active. 

One parent named Stephanie said that she always walks her child to school, and she felt it was important to encourage others to do the same. She said that this program can help students to make healthy choices in general -- choosing more healthy food for example.

In addition, Brunner's principal, Mr. Bortnick, believes this program will get kids up and running, and will help them to be aware of their physical activities or the lack thereof. 

This event kicks off the Walk-to-School Wednesdays program at Brunner, and the school's participation in the YMCA's America On The Move program.