A walking school bus made its first run at McKinley Elementary School Tuesday afternoon, but there were no flashing lights or bus steps to climb. Instead, students navigated piles of snow and ice while walking home under supervision.
The Erie School District and United Way offer the walking school bus concept as a way to increase school attendance by mapping out and marking safe routes for students to walk through the neighborhood.
Daryl Craig, leader of the Blue Coats safety initiative who walked along nearby Perry Street with a group of children, said they are actively recruiting volunteers to provide a safe presence for children.