Gov. Sandoval strolls with students to school for Nevada Moves Week

Students from Bordewich Bray Elementary School started Wednesday morning with an experience not many kids their ages get a chance to do: walk to school with Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Along with school faculty, students met up at Governor’s Mansion on Mountain Street to promote Nevada Moves Week. About 150 schools statewide are participating.

Although there’s an International Walk to School Day in October, it’s important for Nevada to dedicate a day of physical activity of its own, official said.

“It’s an annual tradition for kids and adults,” Sandoval said. “Whether it be walking to school or work, it sets a great example for kids.”

“It’s awesome the Governor is taking the time to do this with our community,” said Jamie Borino, bicycle and pedestrian coordinator of Nevada Department of Transportation. “It speaks in volume for him.”

The program was created in 2006 by Nevada Safe Routes to School coordinator and started as Nevada Moves Day. According to a report by Safe Routes, walking to school supports many healthy benefits, such as weight loss and blood pressure control; bone, muscle and joint maintenance, reduction in the risk of diabetes, and better academic performance.

And especially for a high-traffic town such as Carson City, the more people walk, the less congestion.

“This week is an opportunity for schools to take a closer look at these benefits of walking,” said Bill Story, NDOT multi-modal planning and program development.

“We help teach kids the correct way to cross a street and provide other safety materials.”

Carson City School District Superintendent Richard Stokes also joined the group stroll.

“It’s nice to reminisce about the days when I used to walk to school,” he said. “We’re in our own minds while driving. It’s a nice way to visit and enjoy the view.”

Because the participation at Bordewich was vast, another set of students convened at Carson City’s Fire Department on South Stewart Street and walked to the school.

Others elementary schools in town — including Empire, Fremont, Fritsch, Mark Twain and Seeliger — also met at different locations to walk to school. Sandoval only walked with Bordewich.

As the program is a statewide movement, numerous elementary schools in Clark, Douglas, Lyon and Washoe counties also participated, Story said.

The best advice for those driving to work or school this week: Make sure to look both ways at intersections near schools and support participating students with friendly signals when it’s safe to cross.