Thousands Of Children Walking To School This Week, Including Some LEUSD Students

Elementary and middle school students throughout Riverside County on Wednesday will forgo riding to school in recognition of "International Walk to School Day" -- part of an effort to promote youth exercise and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

Lake Elsinore Unified and Menifee Union students are leading the way as the only ones representing Southwest Riverside County on Wednesday, according to a news release from the county.

Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County's public health officer, is praising the effort by local schoolchildren.

"It is a simple thing that can have a very positive impact on everyone's health," Kaiser said. "Do it once, and it can become a habit."

Representing the Lake Elsinore Unified School District on Wednesday will be students from Elsinore High School and William Collier Elementary School, both located in Wildomar; students from Horsethief Canyon's Luiseno Elementary School will also take part. Students from Hans Christensen Middle School and Chester Morrison Middle School will represent the Menifee Union School District.

Thousands of youngsters from more than 60 schools are expected to take part in the annual event, during which parents and community-based volunteers form "walking school buses" to shepherd children to their campuses, according to the Riverside County Department of Public Health, one of the agencies organizing the outing.

Officials said that in some locations, public safety personnel will provide escorts, and safety mascots, such as the Riverside Police Department's "Buckle Bear," will provide sidewalk entertainment. Elected officials in various locations will also be taking part.

The following is the list of districts scheduled to participate Wednesday:

-- Alvord Unified School District;

-- Beaumont Unified School District;

-- Coachella Unified School District;

-- Corona-Norco Unified School District;

-- Desert Sands Unified School District;

-- Hemet Unified School District;

-- Jurupa Unified School District;

-- Lake Elsinore Unified School District;

-- Menifee Unified School District;

-- Moreno Valley Unified School District;

-- Palm Springs Unified School District;

-- Perris Unified School District;

-- Riverside Unified School District; and

-- Romoland Unified School District.

Children from the private All Saints Carden Academy in Riverside are also slated to participate.

According to organizers, walking programs promote reduced childhood obesity and highlight the importance of pedestrian access and safety. Over the next 12 months, the county will be holding events that highlight the importance of "sustainable walking and biking programs," said Marsie Huling, with the Department of Public Health. --City News Service and Toni McAllister contributed to this report.