More than 250 students in grades kindergarten through fifth
attend Polk Elementary School in Baton Rouge, La. In 2007, Polk
Elementary was the target school of the Walk this Way program,
which focuses on a different school within the Baton Rouge
school district each year. The Walk this Way program was
designed to teach safe behavior to motorists and pedestrians and
to create safer, pedestrian-friendly communities. Based upon
parent surveys, it became apparent that many children were not
wearing helmets or riding their bicycles properly. To address
this issue, the principal made announcements, which included
safety tips in the days leading to International Walk to School
Day. On Walk to School Day, a state trooper provided information
about pedestrian safety to the students and faculty during a
school assembly. Also, the safety council provided water bottles
with pedestrian safety messages to display the importance of
hydration while walking. Another important piece of the program
was to encourage students to