More than 50 Thoreau School students, parents and teachers hit the road this month as part of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program’s Winter Walk & Roll to School Day.
The adventure began at the Fowler Branch Library in West Concord, where hot spiced cider — warmed with a high-tech portable convection stovetop — coffee, Dunkin’ Munchkins and other treats helped keep everyone toasty and cheerful on a crisp but sunny and snowless winter morning.
Fowler Branch library staff prepared by organizing decorated pendants of ‘Henry Husky’ — the Thoreau mascot — and a scavenger hunt to energize and engage the kids.
Thoreau School Principal Justin Sparks, Thoreau’s Parent Teacher Group, Bike to School Concord, the Fowler Branch, Mothers Out Front and the Concord Police Department teamed up to make the event successful.
Safe Routes to School events such as Winter Walk & Roll encourage children to stay active and promote car-free, secure ways to get to and from school.
Since 2021, Bike to School Concord, the Concord Public Schools, and the Concord Police Department have organized “Walk, Bike, & Roll to School” days at Concord’s primary schools in May and October.
The Middle School and Concord-Carlisle High School also encourage students to use safe ‘active transportation’ to get to and from school and around town.
To learn more about Winter Walk & Roll, visit www.facebook.com/biketoschoolconcord/.
