Alpine school earns national recognition for safety program

ALPINE — A Utah County elementary school earned national recognition for promoting safe walking and biking routes to school, but first had to convince parents and students to change their habits.

In 2008, Alpine Elementary started its Safe Routes to School program and set a goal of improving the safety and health of students. Instead of a car-focused commute to school, Alpine encouraged students to walk or ride their bikes. The idea was that fewer cars created less traffic and a safer environment for pedestrian students.

Two years later, the National Center for Safe Routes recognized Alpine Elementary with the James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award. The award recognizes schools or organizations working to create safe walking and biking routes.

"We're really excited about it. We think it's a great honor to receive the award and to be honored nationally," said Principal Cami Larsen.

Prior to beginning the Safe Routes to School program, sidewalks and crosswalks needed to be improved, and traffic nearby the school was a concern.

Alpine applied for federal grants through the Utah Department of Transportation and received $71,500 to install four solar-powered speed-limit signs, build a new walking and bicycling trail and improve the bike storage area at the school.

The city of Alpine also pitched in, donating $125,000 in labor and materials to improve sidewalks and crosswalks.

"I think it shows a lot to our community about how much we value walking to school, biking to school, being safe," Larsen said.

The school started Walk to School Wednesdays, encouraging students to walk and giving them healthful snacks.

Half of the students at Alpine now walk or ride their bike daily, and all their footsteps and pedaling go toward a good cause.

In the past two years, students at Alpine have walked 72,000 miles and raised enough money through donations to pay for three months' worth of lunches for their sister school, Candle Light School in Nairobi, Kenya.

"We are very thankful for what all the students, teachers and parents of Alpine Elementary are doing to ensure other children from a very different culture have an opportunity to enjoy life and have self-esteem," said Fred Afwai, principal and founder of Candle Light School.

The students also raised money for a cow, several goats and chickens for the school's farm.

"We hope that other schools can learn from the example our school has done. It's a great opportunity for the school and community to work together," Larsen said.

The award is named after Congressman James L. Oberstar, D- Minn. Oberstar is chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and will present the award to Alpine Elementary during an assembly in December.

e-mail: aforrester@desnews.com