WalkSafe Program Co-Hosts Walk to School Day
October 2014 – The WalkSafe® Program and Hibiscus Elementary co-hosted Walk To School Day– an international and nationally celebrated event – on October 8 along with special guests to advocate for safety and health. In addition to the general festivities, the event featured special guests Sebastian the Ibis, Burnie from the Miami HEAT, Billy the Marlin, and McGruff the Crime Dog; all of whom cheered the students on as the Norland Senior High School Band and cheerleaders led the walk around the school perimeter. The students had a wonderful time and most importantly they took home a reminder to walk to school safely.
“This event has really made an impact on the students and the community of Miami Gardens. I see my students stopping, looking left, right and left again, that in itself shows the awareness the University of Miami WalkSafe® Program has raised and the positive influence it is having in the community. I want to thank the WalkSafe Program for hosting this event with us and for bringing these important life-long skills to our students,“ said Principal Kim Cox at Hibiscus Elementary School.
Over 500 students, teachers, parents, and community leaders came together to celebrate and walk for pedestrian safety in Miami Gardens and dignitaries in attendance included: Mayor, Oliver G. Gilbert of the City of Miami Gardens, Commissioner, Dorothy Johnson of the City of Opa-Locka, as well as Miami-Dade County Public School’s Administrative Director, Mr. Andy J. Pierre-Louis and Ms. Raquel Alexander of District 1. The WalkSafe® Program is under the Kidz Neuroscience Program at The Miami Project.