Greater Mercer TMA congratulates Hopewell Elementary School and its walking school bus group for winning the “Step into Spring” contest. The group used the NJ Walking School Bus App to organize walks with their children to and from school. Together they have completed a total of 591 trips, walked 379 miles, burned 37,878 calories, and reduced 160,224 grams of CO2 emissions. “We found the app easy to use and my son loves walking to school with his friends” said Susan P., one of the parents who walked with the group. They will receive a $100 gift card for the group, reflective umbrellas for parents and reflective drawstrings backpacks for students. Additionally Hopewell Elementary School will receive $250 to be used for safe walking and biking programs.
Left to right: Principal David Friedrich, Jed K., Sheila R., Susan P., Sara K.
We want to thank all the parents who used the app and organized walks. Special thanks to Sara K., Sheila R. and Susan P., the parents who organized the winning group and to the principal of the Hopewell Elementary School, David Friedrich, for being strong supporters of walking and biking programs. As the NJ Department of Transportation’s designated regional coordinator for Safe Routes to School efforts, Greater Mercer TMA works to keep children in Mercer and Ocean counties healthy by encouraging them to stay active through walking and biking to school and offering safety education.
Summer break is almost here, but the NJ Walking School Bus App will still be available in September. There are many walking groups to join or parents can create their own groups and organize walks to and from school.
The app and tutorial are available at www.gmtma.org.