K-Walkers Create Connections

Fourth grade K-Walkers reported to Webster Avenue this week to escort their friends in the Lower School to the playground and classrooms each morning.

Since 1994, the K-Walker program has connected Lower School students and their families with familiar faces from school during the morning drop-off process. All 4th graders participate in the program, rotating among other responsibilities throughout the year; K-Walkers line up on Webster Avenue as Lower School families arrive in their cars for drop-off each morning to begin the school day. 

As students exit their vehicles under the care of trusted employees, each 4th grade K-Walker takes the hand of a JK or SK student and escorts them though campus to their classroom. This journey gives the older students opportunities to ask questions, tell stories, share jokes and develop relationships with their younger friends, and JK and SK students learn to recognize the 4th graders around campus and view them as role models within the community. 

On days with inclement weather, K-Walkers shield their young friends with umbrellas to make the walk more pleasant. Rain or shine, these older students also provide a real service to JK and SK parents/guardians, by facilitating an easy drop-off, as well as teachers, by allowing them to have more time to prepare for the day’s learning. 

Parker is looking forward to another year of the program and the relationships students form as part of the experience.

Enjoy photos from the first week of K-Walking here.