(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

Safer SCHOOL STREETS

Safer School Streets at Arthur Hatton helped students stay fit and safe

Jun 9, 2023 | 3:59 PM

KAMLOOPS – For the last two weeks, street hockey, hula hoops and chalk art have taken over Schubert Drive from 7:45 to 8:45 each morning before school – all in an effort to get students more active in the mornings.

“We know that if kids are active in the morning, it is easier for them to concentrate it is easier for them to stay focused on their work,” said Arthur Hatton principal Mike Johnson.

The Safer School Streets pilot program at Arthur Hatton Elementary has come to an end.

Having the roads closed encouraged kids to get to school using active transportation

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“When I was looking at my stats, almost every kid has walked or rolled at least once to school, which has been so neat to see,” Johnson told CFJC News.

Sarah Fan routinely walks her son to school and said she’s had peace of mind during the pilot.

“It allows him to bounce his ball on the road without the fear of him being run over, or having cars zoom by and not knowing whether he’s going to lose his ball or whatnot,” Fan said. “It’s been great.”

The pilot program has now ended but Johnson will be meeting with the school board to see if the Safer School Streets project will return and possibly even expand to other schools in the district.

“I really enjoyed these mornings. I found that it was great for community building,” Johnson said. “The kids really enjoyed it. The kids really had fun, so I love to see that, and I just think that that’s such a positive thing for our school.”