Getting to School with Foot Power

Wednesday was International Walk and Bike to School Day, but for many children in Reston, it was the same as any day.

Since Reston is connected by more than 50 miles of pathways, lots of students usually walk to school.

“For us, that’s every day,” said Todd Carter, waiting to cross North Shore Drive near Lake Anne Elementary School with his children.

Steve Nelson, with his boys Houston and Brady, said they try to walk every morning, even though Houston has to get to early for his job as a Safety Patrol.

At Lake Anne, many parents say they like to park and walk their children into school (rather than wait in the Kiss and Ride line), not only to save time, but for the fresh air and exercise.

As Reston students walked and biked to school, Anne Rodriguez had their safety in mind. Rodriguez is the crossing guard at Soapstone and Ridge Heights (for and ) as well as North Shore at Lake Anne Elementary.

 “My first priority is to keep the kids safe,” said Rodriguez, adding that while directing traffic is not her job,  it is sometimes necessary to keep traffic flowing.

Rodriguez estimates that over a third of Lake Anne’s students walk to and from school. At Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School, the afternoon crossings are busier than the morning. But her presence in the morning is important since it is dark in the morning hours and traffic is heavier.  

Rodriguez says she loves her job, especially getting hugs and high fives from the little children.  Her biggest frustration is not the weather (she’s been known to dance in the rain), but inattentive drivers who put her students at risk.  

Even though International Walk and Bike to School Day may not have been a big departure from normal routines for most families, Rodriguez made sure that safety was part of that routine.