WEST ORANGE, NJ - Kelly Elementary School held its eighth Walk to School Day on Oct. 12, encouraging students, staff, and the community to recognize the health and environmental benefits of walking or biking to school. It also promotes safe pedestrian practices and encourages communities to provide safe infrastructure for students traveling to and from school.

Begun in 1997, National Walk to School Day is promoted by the National Center for Safe Routes to school. Kelly Elementary recently received gold recognition from EZ Ride's Safe Routes to School Program  for its commitment to teaching students about pedestrian safety.

Kelly students and staff walked to school in groups from several neighborhood meeting points. The West Orange Police Department provided traffic control and support. The West Orange High School Drumline greeted those arriving with a rousing performance, and Mayor Susan McCartney, Superintendent Hayden Moore, and Principal David Marion welcomed the walkers as they arrived.

The Kelly PTA organized the event in collaboration with school administration, EZ Ride and NJ Safe Routes to School. 

”This is one of my favorite events that we help to coordinate,” said Kelly PTA President Nathalie Lubin.

“Our students get to execute what they’ve learned in school about pedestrian safety. We are so grateful to our community partners for coming out and
supporting us, and having the high school drumline join us and perform was a special treat."

Thanks to Kelly PTA parent Ryan Stanley for information and photos.  

Mayor Susan McCartney, Superintendent Hayden Moore, Principal David Marion, WOPD Sgt. Jeff James

WOHS Drumline