Who’d have thought walking to and from school would become the socially-acceptable thing to do?
Most adults will tell you they walked to school every day — uphill, both ways, in knee-deep snow, eight months of the year. We had it rough indeed.
But we did, in fact, walk to school. And we walked in groups, no cliques and both sexes. And it was one of the biggest social parts of our day. In the mornings, we compared notes on what we had done the night before, and after school, talk centred on what went on at school and plans for that evening or weekend.
Not once did it cross anyone’s mind that we were making a healthy choice for both ourselves and the environment.
But now students at St. Michael School are considering both in making a conscious decision to pass on the offer of a ride to school in order to walk or cycle to school instead.
The commitment goes beyond getting exercise and lessening one’s environmental footprint. Some will have to get moving a little earlier in the morning in exchange for that swift drive to school. And they will have to actually dress for the weather.
But the social rewards are great. It’s a chance to increase one’s circle of friends. And you might be surprised at what you can learn from new people.
All in all, it’s a great choice to make.
