Can Walking To School Be ‘Cool’ Next Year In The LEUSD?

Most school bus service in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District was cut months ago, leaving many parents to drive their kids to and from campuses each day.

The traffic tie-ups around LEUSD campuses have been noted by many residents. Just last week, a Wildomar resident pleaded with her city council members to do something about the jams and dangerous conditions caused by "rude" parents who drive their kids to Wildomar Elementary School.

The problem is not unique to the LEUSD.

The Press-Enterprise is reporting that Eastvale city officials are proposing a program to get more parents to walk to school with their kids in an effort to cut down on traffic in their community and encourage a healthier lifestyle for families.

The “Walking to School is Cool” campaign was the creation of Eastvale City Manager Carol Jacobs, according to The Press-Enterprise report. http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/corona/corona-headlines-index/20130610-eastvale-persuading-parents-its-cool-to-walk-to-schools.ece#sthash.JrW0zcPj.dpuf.

The issue will be heard by the Eastvale City Council June 12 and it has the support of the Corona-Norco Unified School District, which serves the city, The Press-Enterprise reported.

While it remains to be seen whether the Eastvale campaign will move forward and how much success there will be with it if it does, some locals have been wondering whether a similar effort could take off in the LEUSD. District officials have been encouraging walking to school, and the city and county have been working to improve safety for local school children.

What are your thoughts? Should there be a more concerted effort by officials to encourage LEUSD parents to walk to school with their kids? What are your campaign ideas to effect change? How much can government do?