Walk to School Day Comes to Watts

To kick off Watts’ first Walk to School Day celebration, UPI guided children across South Los Angeles to walk to school safely without fear of gang intimidation and violence. Our efforts were part of the national Walk to School Day celebration, where communities across the country came together to encourage walking and biking to school. It was a great success!

At Flourney Elementary School, parents began a walking school bus in the Nickerson Gardens housing complex that was joined by the East Side Riders Biking Club to ensure students and parents felt comfortable walking to school. UPI also coordinated efforts at Grape Street Elementary, and parents greeted students with homemade “Go!” and “Walk” signs to cheer their children along as they neared the school entrance. At Markham Middle School, educators ensured all students took an extra lap around the block once arriving at school to encourage exercise and active transportation.

UPI is so thankful for our diverse partners that made this day possible, including the Los Angeles Police Department officers, Community Safety Partnership officers, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the East Side Riders Biking Club, school staff, and most importantly, our dedicated parent leaders who are alumni of UPI’s Leadership Institute.

Check out all the pictures from Flournoy Elementary, Markham Middle, Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary, & Grape Street Elementary School on our Facebook album.