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Partly Cloudy Parents, students: School's open. Be safe.
Another academic year has begun, and once again we must be mindful of keeping our children safe on their way to and from school, and while they’re there. Here are some useful seasonal tips.
Students heading to school should obey all traffic signals, whether they are walking, biking or even skateboarding. Drivers most also heed the rules of the road, and be extra careful around schools, near intersections and even in the middle of blocks: Children are most often injured away from crosswalks, when they dart out into traffic.
Drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus whose red lights are flashing, no matter which side of the road they’re on.
Whenever they can, students should use intersections with crossing guards. They should walk in groups if possible, avoid talking to strangers and save cell phone calls and texts for emergencies.
If they ride a bus, they should be reminded to stay seated, keep the aisle clear and follow the driver’s instructions if there’s an emergency. They should move away from the bus when they get off, and look carefully for traffic if they need to cross the street.
In school
Parents should be as familiar with a school’s emergency procedures as their children. Plans and phone numbers are usually included in school handbooks.
Parents should remind their kids about proper playground behavior — no pushing, shoving, or crowding — and that they should use the equipment designed for their age group and listen to the person in charge. Check the playground equipment at your child’s school for hazards such as rusted or broken equipment. The ground around it should be covered with wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel or mats made of rubber or similar soft material to prevent injuries. Report any hazards to the school.
Give your children some strategies for coping with bullies. They should not give in to a bully’s demands, but should simply walk away or tell the bully to stop. If the bullying continues, talk to the teacher.
Students should know that bullying is not OK, whether it’s physical or verbal. They should report any incidents to their parents, guidance counselors or teachers.
They should be reminded that there’s a reason schools hold fire drills, and they should pay attention during these drills.
Given the hectic pace of our lives and those of our children, it’s more important than ever to take all necessary precautions to keep them safe in this exciting and fun back-to-school season.
