Providence Police Mounted Command Will Escort Fogarty Elementary Students for a Valentine’s Day Walking School Bus Extravaganza

PROVIDENCE, RI – Fogarty Elementary students participating in the Walking School Bus will be escorted by Providence police on horses as part of a Valentine’s Day Walking School Bus Extravaganza on Friday, February 14, 2014 starting at 2:00 p.m. at Fogarty Elementary School, 199 Oxford Street, Providence.

Col. Hugh Clements, Jr., Providence’s police chief, will participate along with other celebrity walkers in the streets of the city’s South Side, including other members of the police department, members of the fire department, Mr. Potato Head and Sparky the Fire Dog. The children will be treated to chocolate valentines and balloons.

The Walking School Bus provides routes to and from Fogarty and Bailey elementary schools led by volunteers.  The initiative ensures that each child, living within a mile of the school, who needs to walk, arrives on time and returns home safely, even when a family member is unable to walk with him or her. 

The Walking School Bus is reducing school tardiness and absenteeism. The program also promotes a positive community spirit as volunteers and school children walk through the neighborhoods surrounding the schools.

The Walking School Bus is part of Family Service of Rhode Island’s “Providence Children’s Initiative,” based at the school, a comprehensive, collaborative program to improve educational and social development outcomes for children and families.

Family Service of RI has invited a number of community leaders to lead the Walking School Bus to raise awareness of the program and to help recruit volunteers.  Anyone interested in volunteering should call 401-331-1350 ext. 3457.

Family Service of RI is a statewide non-profit human service and educational organization.  More information is available at www.familyserviceri.org.

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