Safe Walk volunteers from Hidden Valley Middle School receiving certificates for their participation from Escondido leaders. From left (front row) Maria Isabel Martinez, parent, Norberta Ceron, parent, Yvette Larrabee, family liaison; (back row) Kimberly Israel, coordinator of community outreach, Dr. Luis Ibarra, superintendent, Trent Smith, principal, and Craig Carter, chief of police.
On Tuesday, May 17, parents and community volunteers were honored at the Escondido Union School District (EUSD)’s 6th Annual Safe Walk Breakfast held at Farr Avenue Elementary School.
The Safe Walk Program is administered by EUSD, in collaboration with the Escondido Police Department and the Escondido Education COMPACT.
EUSD’s Supt. Dr. Luis Ibarra and Escondido Police Department’s Chief Craig Carter helped recognize 95 volunteers who volunteered at least 20 times during the 2015-2016 school year to monitor the streets around Escondido’s elementary and middle schools at this year’s breakfast.
In addition, Graham Mitchell, Escondido’s city manager, and each of the participating school’s principals were on hand to honor each Safe Walk volunteer for their commitment to keeping EUSD students safe on their way to and from school.
“Safe Walk is a great example of partnership between our schools, our parents, and our community,” said Dr. Ibarra. “It takes a village to raise a child…and this program is a true example of our Escondido village in action.”
The EUSD Safe Walk Program was launched in 2009. Through Safe Walk, parents and community members are trained to monitor the streets on routes that children travel to and from EUSD elementary and middle schools. EUSD Family Liaisons recruit, train, and coordinate the volunteers. The Safe Walk Program is currently in place at 10 EUSD schools.
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