Back to school: Walking School Bus aims to help local students

Community Schools United Director Dr. Sundra Woodford says students are walked to school by volunteer community leaders. Porch watchers also participate in the program. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – L. H. Williams Elementary and Burdell-Hunt Elementary have partnered with Community Schools United for a Walking School Bus program, which aims to help students get to school safely.

“We know that for walkers, they have to put in an extra effort to come to school,” Community Schools United Director, Dr. Sundra Woodford, said. “They walk kind of like the postman, rain, sleet or snow. If school is open, then that’s how they get to school.”

Woodford says students are walked to school by volunteer community leaders. Porch watchers also participate in the program, waving at kids as they walk to and from school and encouraging students.

Rachel Umana, the Executive Director and Founder of Bike Walk Macon, says you can also bike to school.

“If you’re biking, you need to be biking with the flow of traffic,” she said. “If you’re past a certain age, you need to be biking in the street wearing a helmet. As a kid under the age of 16, you are allowed to bike on the sidewalk, so if you are in a place with a lot of traffic that feels uncomfortable, you are able to bike on the sidewalk.”

However you get to school, follow the rules and stay safe.