Today’s KC Star features a “walking school bus” in Overland Park.  The idea is very simple – a group of parents and volunteers get together and escort kids to school.

The idea is part of the Safe Routes to School movement that encourages safe ways for kids to walk and bike school, something that has declined drastically over the years as new neighborhoods have been geared towards automobiles and kids are increasing driven to school by parents.

The Star features Pawnee Elementary in Overland Park, but school districts all over the metro area participate – KCMO, Park Hill, North Kansas City, KCK, Shawnee Mission, and many more.

• KC Star: More kids walk to and from school thanks to “walking school bus” program.
• KC Star video of walking school bus at Pawnee Elementary in Johnson County.
• KC Healthy Kids has info about regional Safe Routes to School programs, including how to get a walking school bus started at your child’s school.