Miami Park Elem. Students Walk For Cause
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Nearly 500 students from Miami Park Elementary and their parents got their "walkin' shoes" to take part in a special rally on International Walk to School Day.
Presented by the WalkSafe program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the students, one of the featured speakers was Grammy nominated hip-hop artist Tramar Dillard "Flo Rida".faculty who also gave an impromptu performance.
Other speakers included Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Director of Physical Education and Health Literacy for the Miami Dade County Public Schools, and David Henderson, who is Miami Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization's Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator.
Dr. Gillian Hotz, a professor of Neurological Surgery at the Miller School, said the three goals of the WalkSafe program are to decrease pedestrian trauma, increase daily physical activity and improve the environment around schools.
"International Walk to School Day is the kick-off to a school year and a lifetime of walking more and walking safely for these students. The WalkSafe program has contributed to a 70% decrease of the most severe pedestrian injuries in the county. Every child or parent that we educate is pedestrian death prevented" said Dr. Hotz.
But it wasn't all serious safety talk.
Billy the Marlin, Burnie the HEAT and UM's own Sebastian the Ibis, UCheer and Sunsations had fun with the kids.
Also, the Coral Gables High School Band of Distinction led the crowd of 500 + guests in the school-wide walk and gave a fabulous performance at the award ceremony.
"Miami Park Elementary School and the entire team including administration, staff and faculty have gone above and beyond the traditional implementation of the program. The results of their hard work are being showcased at this event" said Katie Swidarski, WalkSafe Project Coordinator.
Nationwide, more than 5,000 schools participated in International Walk to School Day. Nearly 4 million people participate in approximately 40 countries as part of International Walk to School.
