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ISHPEMING -- Encouraging students to get to school safely is the goal of the Safe Routes to School program.

As a part of the program, a group of students walked to Birchview School from Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming Thursday morning.  Organizers and parents supporting the effort met in the parking lot of the church and walked with the students.

About 30 students met in the church parking lot for the walk and organizers hope their example will encourage even more to join.

"In general, the whole school is pretty much involved and the parents, so the staff seemed pretty excited about doing the Safe Routes to School.  Birchview is in their second year this year, so we're just looking forward to some programs now for their school," said Bobbi Ayotte, Coordinator SWTS.

The program reminds students of important precautions to take while walking, like looking both ways and properly use crosswalks when crossing the street.