Early October has been full of new beginnings as well as graduating class sessions. This week, 53 children and teens took home either a bike or computer after six weeks of commitment, and dozens more continued to make strides toward upcoming accomplishments. Monday and Tuesday were full of outdoor riding practice for BWorks students in Walnut Park East, Botanical Heights and in Soulard. Wednesday took our dedicated team to three SLPS elementary schools throughout the day — first guiding the enormous Betty Wheeler bike bus bright and early, then celebrating and riding with Earn-A-Bike graduates at Oak Hill (and reconnecting with some fifth graders who did the program last year and told us “WE STILL LOVE OUR BIKES!”), and then getting to introduce Humboldt’s after-care students to the now-built bikes they chose three weeks ago.

On Thursday we welcomed more Learn-To-Ride students, completed six weeks with our Patrick Henry fourth-grade cohort, and also capped off six weeks of Earn-A-Computer back at the shop. We jumped back into another busy day Saturday, with a large class at Bellefontaine Rec Center taking home computers at the conclusion of their six-week series yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile another 12 Earn-A-Bike students completed their neighborhood ride under the guidance of dedicated onsite volunteers and staff as well, and eight Saturday afternoon Learn-To-Ride students made huge strides on two wheels during the second week of their class.

Let’s do it again this week! And thanks to everyone pitching in on so many fronts to make this joyful education possible.