Emil Usinger and his little sister Marley walked to school alongside their mother and two dogs early Wednesday morning.
“It’s a productive way to get to school,” said 10-year-old Emil. “You also get to hang out with a lot of people, and I like to walk with my dogs.”
A parade of parents, children and dogs walked from Carrboro Town Hall to Carrboro Elementary School in an effort to promote environmentally friendly transportation.
The walkers joined others around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day, a part of International Walk to School Month.
This is the sixth year Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools has participated in the event. This year five schools registered to walk, including Carrboro Elementary for the first time.
“I really like cycling or walking to school more than taking the bus or driving,” Emil said.
His mother, Deborah Usinger, said her family often bicycles to school, and she supports the school’s organizing the event.
“It’s important for kids to know that they just don’t have to use cars,” she said.
Carrboro Elementary’s principal, Emily Bivins, walked with her three children and said more than 100 students from the school participated in the event.