Students and staff participate in the annual walk to school day Oct. 2 at the Kingfield Elementary School in Kingfield. Submitted Photo

KINGFIELD — Last month, Kingfield Elementary School held its annual Walk to School Day, bringing together pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade students and faculty for a morning focused on community and outdoor activity. “At KES, we love to get outside,” said first grade co-teacher Melissa Hoisington, describing the atmosphere as “upbeat and enthusiastic.”

Kingfield Elementary School’s Walk to School Day is part of the National Walk and Roll to School Day initiative, designed to foster physical activity and environmental awareness among students. This event has united communities since 1997. By encouraging students to walk or bike to school, the event promotes healthy habits, reduces traffic congestion, and highlights the importance of safe routes for young pedestrians and cyclists. The day also strengthens community bonds, bringing students, staff, and families together to support both individual wellness and collective environmental responsibility.

All students and staff took part in the walk, with the exception of one teacher and the principal, who stayed at the school “to be ready to greet us with a snack [a granola bar] when we returned,” Hoisington shared. The event began with a whole-school circle at the town park, where each student received a personalized greeting, underscoring the school’s commitment to inclusivity. “The significance of the greeting was to promote inclusion with all students and staff,” Hoisington explained. “All students showed positive reactions when it was their turn to be greeted by all in the circle with their name.”

Kingfield Elementary School students participate in the walk to school day Oct. 2 in Kingfield. Submitted photo

The event reflects Kingfield Elementary School’s broader commitment to outdoor play and inclusive learning, she said. “At KES, we promote outside play and learning whenever it is appropriate for gatherings and enhancing content,” Hoisington said. “Inclusion is always an important element, especially at the beginning of the school year. It is also a philosophy we are working together to implement in our classrooms.”

Some of the most memorable moments included the students’ joy as they participated in the greeting circle and the camaraderie seen during the walk. “The looks on the student’s faces when it was their turn to be greeted and watching student interactions as we walked are always memorable,” she noted.

The natural surroundings and fall weather added to the experience. “The sunny weather and colorful foliage help make this a great experience to do in the fall,” Hoisington remarked.

Parents were informed about the event and encouraged to join, though no local organizations were involved this year. Reflecting on the importance of participating in national events like Walk to School Day, Hoisington added, “Participation in these types of events makes all of us feel like part of the greater world community.”

The Walk to School Day tradition at Kingfield Elementary School has evolved over the years, adjusting to changes in student population and schedules, yet it remains a cherished event. “This has been a tradition at our school for many years,” Hoisington shared. “It has changed as our school population and schedules have changed, yet it continues to be a valued annual event.”