Event's focus is safety

Sheridan Preparatory Academy hosted the City of Albany’s 2018 Walk to School day. More than 5,000 schools across the country participate in the annual fall event intended to encourage families and community leaders to ditch the car and walk or bike to school.

The City School District of Albany’s community partners -- the Albany Police Department, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, New York State Department of Health, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Albany County DPW Traffic Safety Education Program – ensured that students enjoyed a fun morning but also shared tips on walking or biking to school safely.

A visit from two members of the Albany Police Department’s mounted unit and a robotic, talking police car named “Otto” left Sheridan Preparatory Academy students with huge smiles and new knowledge about pedestrian and bicycle rules.

“Today was a great start to the day for our students. Health and safety are top priorities in the City School District of Albany and we appreciate the community partners who made this morning’s event a success,” noted Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams, who also participated in the assembly and activities.

The first National Walk to School Day was held in 1997 and the first-ever National Bike to School Day was celebrated in 2012. The City School District of Albany participated in its first Walk to School Day in 1997 at former School 19, Now New Scotland Elementary.

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and prepare all students for college and career, citizenship and life, in partnership with our diverse community. The district serves nearly 9,700 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.