‘Footprint Project’ decorates a Stoney Creek school’s sidewalks

A Stoney Creek school is newly decorated after students covered sidewalks with chalk on Friday for its first “Footprint Project” event.

The event described by principal Karen Moyer as “student leadership at its finest” had St. Paul Catholic Elementary students cover sidewalks and drop off areas with colourful chalk footprints.

The drawings are to encourage students and parents to change their routines for getting to school to include more active ways of transportation.

St. Paul school has experienced an increase in traffic as more parents choose to drive students to school, with staff members concerned about the safety of the busy drop off areas.

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Moyer says the hope is that Friday’s event will bring less drivers to drop off zones, making the area safer for students no matter the way they get to school.

The “Footprint Project” is run by the Daily School Route (DSR) initiative to inspire students and parents to consider walking, biking or scooting to school instead of driving short distances.

The DSR has been leading research in the Hamilton area on student transportation finding many families in the area are choosing to drive to school as they feel it is safer than alternatives.

With the introduction of events such as the “Footprint Project”, the DSR hopes to bring awareness to safety concerns and create healthier environments for Hamilton students.

The St. Paul event marks the first collaboration between the DSR and a local school to bring the “Footprint Project” to life.

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