Antietam students walk to school

Antietam students from Mt. Penn Elementary Center took part in International Walk to School Day on Oct. 8. WalkBikeBerks, a Berks County organization, planned the event with school and other local officials. The walk started out at Redner's on Carsonia Avenue.

It was a chilly morning but a wonderful experience. I grew up in a rural area so walking to school was not an option for me. The kids were really excited about the event and so were the parents that participated. I met one parent that walked with her kids and a dog named Sadie. She told me she walks with the kids every day to school. She said they park at a certain street and her children's fellow classmates enjoy seeing Sadie.

It's great to see schools taking healthier steps to the future. Obesity is a real problem in our society and if there could be more days like the one on Oct. 8, it would encourage kids to be healthier and excercise. Several school officials told me that they are planning on having a walk in December and in the spring.