OAKLEAF – Hundreds of students, teachers, staff and parents joined the national Walk and Roll to School program last week to highlight the benefits of walking and bike riding. The event was one of 217 in Florida and 2,020 nationally.

Oakleaf Village Elementary (OVE) students were encouraged with a parade-style procession as they made their way to school. The Oakleaf High band greeted the commuters with upbeat music. Cheerleaders and football players from the high school formed a tunnel-style line that led the entourage of students toward the front office. In an inspiring moment, the students were recognized by their Knight’s heroes, who commended their participation in the heart-healthy occasion.

Walk and Roll to School culminated in a sendoff of OVE’s basketball team to a big tournament that the Explorers participated in the following weekend. 

Also in attendance, The Florida Highway Patrol, Superintendent of Schools David Broskie and Sheriff Michelle Cook shared their support.

Ray Carr, Head Coach and Owner of Elevate Fitness Orange Park, and Dawn Brancaccio, first-year Physical Education instructor and longtime first-grade teacher, hosted a live fitness class during the rumble.

“Children get to see what adults can do, and they are doing it as well. I believe it’s encouraging for them to see everyone working together. We want our little children strong, happy and healthy, and we want to prepare them for middle school and high school,” she said.

For OVE, 95% of students live within walking distance. The school only has one bus.

Principal Jason Martin brimmed with enthusiasm from the overwhelming turnout in the name of health and safety, estimating an attendance of more than 700 people.

“It’s just a huge celebration of students coming to school, forming these healthy habits, and doing so in a safe fashion. We just want to encourage that healthy movement in the morning to get their blood pumping,” he said. 

Walk and Roll was a lively, unforgettable moment for students and their families.

Stephanie Mooneyham and her four children, Kinley, 7, Kellan, 5, Kerrigan, 3, and Kaia, 1, arrived in style. They wore bicycle helmets and bright clothes for the big trek, keeping safety in mind. For Kinley, Walk and Roll marked an exciting morning of music and cheer, but most of all, she enjoyed exercising while sporting her colorful attire.

Nitisicia Dobbs, the mother of Bella and Adam, both 6, and Norsha and Tyrone, whose ages were not provided, found the experience delightful.

“We already exercise regularly together, but we really enjoyed participating in this wonderful event as a family. It was excellent, and overall, it’s just a great cause. We look forward to doing it again next year,” she said. 

Sixth-grade teacher Alan Brown, Brancaccio and Martin plan to “roll out” the event once again in 2024. In the meantime, safety education will continue to be a focus, with the PE instructors “hammering home” its importance for the rest of the school year.

“Safety is something we will (continue) to emphasize,” she said.