Walking to School is Routine at Spruce

This morning, seven-year-old Steve Vasquez slung on his bookbag and walked the four blocks from his home to with his mother and baby brother as his does everyday. He didn't know it, but he was one of thousands of students nationwide walking to school today as part of International Walk to School Day.

Crossing guard Rose Nieto hadn't heard of International Walk to School Day, which is a one-day event that encourages children and families to walk or bike to school and schools to establish safe walking routes. But as she guarded the corner of Spruce and Lux Avenues, she wasn't surprised by the kids and parents streaming toward the school on foot from all directions.

"We've got a lot of kids walking to school here," Nieto said.

Spruce advertised the day to students, but didn't organize an event or register with International Walk to School Day, according to office staff. Some schools organize walking school buses for the day where parents and students walk on a route and pick up students along the way.

Parents interviewed approaching the school said they hadn't heard of International Walk to School Day, but said walking to school was part of their regular routine.

Jesús Mendez accompanied his six-year-old daughter, Maria Luisa, to school this morning. He said his wife usually walks her to school every day, but he brought her today because he had the day off of work.

"I may have heard [about International Walk to School Day] a week ago, but I didn't remember today," he said.

Second grader Steve Vasquez called his regular four-block walk "kind of long" but said he enjoyed it.

"I can do exercise," he said.