Amy Belsha, principal of Rossmoor Elementary School, knew she had a problem, but a good one. So many kids, parents, friends, neighbors and local elected officials had gathered at Rossmoor Park for the start of Walk to School Wednesday that it was clear they could not be contained to the sidewalk for their journey to school.
“Can we use the street?” she asked the California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer assigned to escort them.
Sure, came the reply.
And so it was that a parade of several hundred people wound its way through Rossmoor streets to the elementary campus a half-mile away accompanied by the CHP, a police dog, an Orange County Fire Authority fire truck, and an Orange County Sheriff’s helicopter circling overhead.
Rossmoor Elementary was not alone as every elementary school in Los Alamitos Unified School District participated in the 22nd annual National Walk to School Day. “It was great to see such overwhelming support for our students and families throughout Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, and Seal Beach,” Board President, Dr. Jeffrey Barke said. Board members, Diana Hill, Dave Boyer, Karen Russell, and Meg Cutuli, along with many teachers and staff, joined in the festivities as well. Sponsored by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the day is designed to inspire communities to support safe travel. This year more than 5,000 schools in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. staged school walks.
“This was such a magical event for our students and their families at Rossmoor Elementary,” said Principal Belsha. “It was so special to see our community come together as one big happy family with the purpose of walking to school. Our Knights’ smiles and happiness filled the streets of Rossmoor.”
