Monroe police, school district host Walk Your Child to School Day

The Monroe School District and Monroe Police Department hosted the 16th annual "Walk Your Child to School DayGÇ¥ on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Six meeting sites were set up around the city, giving students and parents the opportunity to gather before setting off for either Fryelands or Frank Wagner elementary schools.

Walk Your Child to School Day is a collaborative effort between the school district and police department that started in 1999 as a method for promoting pedestrian safety in Monroe. In addition to reminding passing motor vehicle traffic to proceed cautiously through school zones, the event gives local officials the opportunity to remind students to always walk safely.

"The Monroe Police Department takes the safety of its citizens very seriously, especially children,GÇ¥ said Monroe Police Chief Tim Quenzer in a news release. "This is a wonderful event where the children can learn pedestrian safety and the police officers enjoy interacting with the city's youthful citizens.GÇ¥

Police officers and school officials work with children to remind them to always take advantage of crosswalks with either pedestrian lights or crossing guards, and to utilize sidewalks and wide shoulder areas whenever possible. Every year, the Monroe School District publishes a "safe-walkingGÇ¥ map to help families discover the safest routes to their children's schools.

Family involvement is encouraged at the event, so that parents can better familiarize themselves with the routes their children take every day as they walk to and from school.