School Day

Armed with umbrellas and slickers, thousands of children, parents and officials crowded the streets of Glendale Wednesday morning for International Walk to School Day, designed to promote healthy lifestyles and pedestrian safety. It was the third consecutive year that local schools have taken part in the national event. Participation numbers were projected to hit 20,000, the highest of any district in California. “We got all 29 Glendale Unified schools participating this year, as well as three private schools that signed up,” said Kara Sergile, a parent at R.D. White Elementary School and a pedestrian safety advocate who spearheaded the effort.

Elementary students in the Crescenta Valley area, including Dunsmore and Valley View, joined other children across the nation and around the world to celebrate Walk to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The idea for the day began in England in response to concerns about childhood obesity. Having children walk to school with their parents was a way to call attention to the problem and a healthy way for children to exercise. By 2002, the concept had spread to America with all 50 states participating in Walk To School Day, and an entire week has since been dedicated to bring awareness of the value of exercise for both students and parents.

The sidewalks around Crescenta Valley were a little more crowded on Oct. 3 with children walking to school. They joined kids around the world in the International Walk to School Day. The idea of one day being set aside to have children walk to school began in 1997 in Chicago, which was modeled after a program in the United Kingdom. The day was a way to bring awareness of children?s safety as well as making communities more accessible for walkers. By 2002, all 50 states had schools participating in the walk to school day. As the program grew it was obvious that the benefit went beyond safety and sidewalk availability to becoming a way to bring attention to the growing problem of childhood obesity.

GLENDALE— Steve Miskjian and his four-year-old daughter Tiffany walked more than a mile to Wite Elementary School on Wednesday, part of a 60-person walking school bus. The rain didn't stop them. Traffic didn't slow them down. Construction crews along their route were no problem. "We don't walk every day, but we did today," Steve Miskjian said. They were among the roughly 800 people walking to school on International Walk to School Day, an event designed to reduce congestion around schools.

Community leaders, already working to improve local bicycle infrastructure, are targeting some of the city's youngest riders. The Glendale PTA Council and Walk Bike Glendale have teamed up to provide bicycle skills classes for local school-aged children, with the first taking place Saturday at Fremont Elementary School. The free classes will start at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and will included helmet fittings and bicycle checks. The classes were scheduled in anticipation of the first Bike to School Day, which will take place Wednesday.

SOUTH GLENDALE — The girls at Holy Family High School aren’t used to screaming and jumping for joy at 7 a.m. on a school day — especially not at the start of the academic year — but a visit from a KIIS-FM street team got them going Friday morning. The all-girls private school of about 300 students is largely unknown and tucked into a residential community, so a visit from one of the region’s most popular radio stations was a major event for the campus, students and administrators said.

Margaret Snyder As local and national headlines reveal the shocking trend in teen violence, Hoover High and Toll Middle School students will attend three assemblies during the school day on Nov. 27, promoting nonviolent problem-solving skills. James Shaw, author of "Why Jack and Jill Kill," will speak to students offering them tools to avoid violence. Funding is provided by Hoover, Toll, and with funds from the Safe & Drug-free Schools Program from the district.

Gary Moskowitz Students and parents at Valley View Elementary School put on their walking shoes Wednesday to participate in their third International Walk to School Day. Although many parents parked just a few blocks away and walked up the steep hill to Valley View, the idea was still the same -- to become more aware of the school's community, Parent Teacher Assn. President Eric Gurrola said. "You won't believe how bad traffic can get up here in the morning," Gurrola said.

They hiked up solo amid the long, autumn shadows. They clambered up and down steep grades in gaggles. As colorful book bags clung loosely on their backs, they clutched the hands of their parents or grandparents, winding their way through the swishing sounds of wind-blown trees. They were the students of Dunsmore Elementary School, who were simply enjoying a healthy walk to school on International Walk To School Day. Dunsmore's campus is nestled snugly into the vertical San Gabriel Mountains here, making the Hilltoppers an apt name for the school mascot.

The parade of two-wheelers snaking toward R.D. White Elementary School could have stocked a bicycle shop. There were mountain bikes, road bikes and beach cruisers with white-wall tires. Helmeted heads bobbed up and down to the rhythm of the pedals. It was a scene playing out at schools across the country Wednesday as thousands of students flicked up their kickstands and took to the streets for the first national Bike to School event. Sponsored by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the ride was modeled after its International Walk to School Day - initiatives that are designed to foster pedestrian safety and healthy lifestyles.

Community leaders, already working to improve local bicycle infrastructure, are targeting some of the city's youngest riders. The Glendale PTA Council and Walk Bike Glendale have teamed up to provide bicycle skills classes for local school-aged children, with the first taking place Saturday at Fremont Elementary School. The free classes will start at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and will included helmet fittings and bicycle checks. The classes were scheduled in anticipation of the first Bike to School Day, which will take place Wednesday.

Armed with umbrellas and slickers, thousands of children, parents and officials crowded the streets of Glendale Wednesday morning for International Walk to School Day, designed to promote healthy lifestyles and pedestrian safety. It was the third consecutive year that local schools have taken part in the national event. Participation numbers were projected to hit 20,000, the highest of any district in California. “We got all 29 Glendale Unified schools participating this year, as well as three private schools that signed up,” said Kara Sergile, a parent at R.D. White Elementary School and a pedestrian safety advocate who spearheaded the effort.

Concession sales at Nitros football games support the PTSA, and Karen Veloz, Glendale High PTSA president, is appreciative of the volunteer support in keeping the booth running. “As this year is underway, our PTSA theme of 'Every Parent Involved' is becoming a reality, as we have had an unprecedented number of parents volunteering with concessions at GHS football games. Never has the saying, 'many hands make light work,' been more true,” she said. Oct. 5 is the second year that the city of Glendale has proclaimed International Walk to School Day. Verdugo Woodlands PTA President Lori Tsaparian invites parents and community to join them at 7:50 a.m. Oct. 5 in the parking lot of the First Congregational Church of Glendale, 2001 Canada Blvd., to recognize this day. Glendale High's Reflections program is off to a great start, with the cooperation of art teachers promising to have a wide array of entries, Veloz said.

Recently, the L.A. Unified School District passed a requirement stipulating that a student's homework grade should consist of no more than 10% of the final grade. As a long proponent of limiting the amount of homework students are given, I applaud LAUSD for implementing such a courageous measure.  Unfortunately, just last week LAUSD Supt. John Deasy suspended the new policy in order to have further public input, even though there were already discussions held for 18 months  The earliest for any new homework policy to be in effect will be the 2012-13 school year.  Don't you just love bureaucracies?

Our son Josh has a cold. Again. In China, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, but in our house, it’s the Year of the Sick Child. Josh even got a jump start on it by missing the last three days of school before winter break. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that a boy in elementary school gets sick so often — especially one with an aversion to soap and water. Health experts advise us to teach our children to wash their hands thoroughly by using warm water, soap, vigorous friction and singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.

GLENDALE— Steve Miskjian and his four-year-old daughter Tiffany walked more than a mile to Wite Elementary School on Wednesday, part of a 60-person walking school bus. The rain didn't stop them. Traffic didn't slow them down. Construction crews along their route were no problem. "We don't walk every day, but we did today," Steve Miskjian said. They were among the roughly 800 people walking to school on International Walk to School Day, an event designed to reduce congestion around schools.

With all the buzz these days about healthy lifestyles, International Walk to School Day on Wednesday is a great opportunity for parents and their children to get some exercise. This is an annual event, and this year at least 10 schools in our district are participating. Walk to school with your child, enjoy some fresh air, meet some friends along the way and get a little bit healthier. The entire month has been named "Walktober," in the hopes that families continue this great habit in the future.

Fall colors abound, but green dominates at Glenoaks Elementary, where Principal Kristine Siegal will spray paint her hair green if 100% participation in PTA membership is reached by Oct. 15. PTA President Jennifer Palacios said the principal hair-painting began several years ago, and students love it. "Luckily, principals have been good sports," she added. Glenoaks' PTA is holding an eco-friendly drive. Since the school's Green Team educates students and staff about environmental responsibility, Chair Leigh Helberg said students would sell $10 squares on recyclable paper similar to bingo cards instead of gift wrap.

I feel compelled to tell people about my fantastic experience at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Glendale. My daughter started kindergarten this year, in the Italian Immersion program offered at Benjamin Franklin, and we could not be more thrilled with her progress and the amazing experience we have had with the teachers, administrators, parents and staff. She is excelling academically and socially and loves going to school. For any of you who do not know about the FLAG programs (Foreign Language Academy of Glendale)