PSUSD students walk to school on International Walk to School Day
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Students at Raymond Cree Middle School joined school staff and local law enforcement officials for a group walk to campus, bypassing standard vehicle drop-off zones and carpool lanes.
This year marked a record for Palm Springs Unified, with 15 schools participating.
The collective commute aims to teach students secure pedestrian navigation while providing morning physical activity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth and adolescents should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-intense exercise daily, a requirement met in part by traveling on foot.
Safety concerns along the busy roadways surrounding the campus prompted the involvement of local law enforcement.
Matt Steed, a patrol sergeant with the Palm Springs Police Department, highlighted the traffic risks in the immediate area.
“We have a lot of traffic collisions,” Steed said. “And right here where this school is located right off the street, you know, is a particularly busy street.”
Students participating in the walk also noted reckless drivers along the route, while expressing appreciation for the law enforcement guidance.
“Seeing the police officers. Like guiding us,” one student said, while another pupil noted receiving free stickers during the walk.
School staff emphasized that the exercise provided a positive break from the daily demands of the classroom. Zuri Lowe, a school counselor at Raymond Cree Middle School, highlighted the importance of supporting students through physical activity.
“The academic workload is so rigorous,” Lowe said. “So it’s definitely good for them to be able to get out and exercise. We want our kids to see that we’re here. We’re with them. We’re walking with them.”
School administrators noted that traveling together as a group offered benefits beyond physical exercise.
Jody Diaz, assistant principal at Raymond Cree Middle School, pointed to the social aspect of the commute.
“It’s not just for your body,” Diaz said. “It’s also for your social-emotional well-being. And it’s community building.”
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