BY VINAYA SAKSENA

CENTRAL FALLS — After much talk of encouraging healthier habits among students, Superintendent of Schools Frances Gallo walked the walk — literally — with elementary school students Wednesday morning.

That morning, students from the Veterans Memorial and Ella Risk Elementary schools, accompanied by Gallo, walked to school, many with parents in tow, as part of a coordinated effort among schools around the country and beyond. They were participating, for the first time, in International Walk to School Day.
According to school officials, the event was part of the Safe Routes to School initiative, whose name originates from a 1970’s effort undertaken in Denmark to make walking to and from school safer for students. Three decades later, the idea is off to a successful start in Central Falls, school officials said.
“I think it was terrific,” Gallo said after returning to her office. “I hope we do more of them. It’s great to know you’re part of a national movement.”
Inspired by the aforementioned Danish initiative, the event Central Falls students participated in was funded by federal grant money, of which the city received $360,000, Gallo said.
She noted that School District Grant Coordinator Mario Papitto and Channel One head Angelo Garcia had played key roles in obtaining the grant funding, and the School District’s Board of Directors issued certificates of appreciation to several other city and school officials for their roles as well.
Of that money, Gallo said, approximately $5,000 went to the schools. The remainder of the funds, she said, were used by the city to pay for sidewalk repair and police detail. These efforts, Gallo said, were aimed at making the city streets safer and more user-friendly for students, by providing both upkeep and security.
Efforts to procure the grant funding began last year, and the grant was awarded this spring, with the funding cycle beginning in the fall, Gallo said. She added that a decision was made to focus on the Veterans and Ella Risk schools.
Calcutt Middle School did not really need to participate in a walk-to-school initiative, as many students were already doing it, said Principal Liz Legault. However, she said she felt the event had been a success, drawing over 100 children plus many parents, who marched with Gallo from nearby Jenks Park.
“It was a good event,” Legault said. “I think having the superintendent lead the parade shows her commitment to the schools.”
Gallo, however, did not characterize her role in the walk as extraordinary. In fact, she said, she walks to and from the city’s schools on a daily basis.
“It’s only a mile,” she said, speaking of the city’s small size. “So no matter which school I’m going to, it’s not too far. I do walk every day in the city.”
Gallo and Legault noted the rising cost of fuel as an incentive to encourage walking to school. However, Gallo said the main goals of the event were to encourage the healthy behavior of walking, rather than sitting on a bus on the way too and from school, and to provide a safe place to do it.