Students and parents from Madrona Elementary will join forces with staff from the city of SeaTac, Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW), and Feet First to conduct a Safe Routes to Schools audit as part of Communities Putting Prevention to Work – projects made possible by Public Health – Seattle and King County through the Center for Disease Control.

The audit will start with a one-mile walk near the school to document traffic safety related issues. BAW and Feet First will use the data collected to make recommendations for improvement.

The audit is just the first step in the 2011 Safe Routes to School effort to help more children bike and walk safely to school.  Over the next year, a plan will be created to improve conditions for walkers and bikers and teach bicycle and pedestrian skills to all Madrona students.

WHAT: Safe Routes to Schools Audit Walk.

WHEN: February 15 at 3:00 p.m.  We will walk rain or shine!

WHERE: Meet at Madrona Elementary – Room 116 (Community Room)  20301 – 32nd Avenue South, SeaTac, WA  98198.

WHY: Walking and biking to school can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and asthma, and may help kids focus better in class – improving academic achievement.

HOW: Interested volunteers can contact Kathy Allen at (206) 631-4113 or allenkl@hsd401.org to join in the effort or to ask questions.

No experience is necessary and everyone is encouraged to participate.