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 BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY
Getting to School is Your First Step:
Riding the Bus:
- Have your children arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick them up.
- Make sure children know to stand on the sidewalk or on the grass while waiting for the bus, away from traffic and the street.
- Teach children to make sure they can see the bus driver and the bus driver can see them before crossing in front of the bus. Tell them to never walk behind the bus.
- Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.
- When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus.
- Use the handrails to enter and exit the bus.
- Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do.
- Be aware that bullying often takes place on the school bus. Ask children about their bus - who they sit with, who they talk to, and what the other kids do. Let them know that if they see someone being bullied, or are bullied themselves, they can talk to you, the bus driver, or another trusted adult.
Walking and Biking to School:
- Map out with your children a safe way for them to walk to school or to the bus stop. Avoid busy streets and intersections. Do a trial run with them to point out places they should avoid along the way.
- Obey all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard.
- Walk your bike through intersections.
- Walk with a buddy.
- Wear light colored or reflective materials. It makes you more visible to street traffic.
- Teach children to not talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or accept gifts from them, without your permission.
- Help children memorize their phone number and full address, including area code and zip code.
For more information on school safety, visit the National Safety Counsel at http://www.nsc.org/mem/youth/8_top.htm.
Children Home Alone:
If your child is home alone after school, follow these simple tips:
- Set up rules for locking doors and windows, answering the door or telephone.
- Make sure he or she checks in with you or a neighbor immediately after arriving home from school.
- Set rules for inviting friends over and for going to a friend's house when no adult is home.
- Take time to listen carefully to children's fears and feelings about people or places that scare them or make them feel uneasy. Tell them to trust their instincts. Take complaints about bullies and other concerns seriously.
- If he or she wants to change plans after school, always have him or her check first with a parent. Never allow them to play in parks, malls, or video arcades by themselves. Make sure your children know to get a parent's permission, so you will know where they are going to be.
- Practice what to do in an emergency. Teach children how to dial 911 or "0" and when to do it.
For more information on protecting your children when they are home alone, you can visit the National Safe Kid Campaign website at:
http://www.safekids.org
Safer Schools Begin at Home:
Four points parents should discuss with their children about school safety include:
- Explain that everyone has a responsibility for making schools safe -- even children. If a child sees inappropriate behavior or hears about the possibility that such behavior might happen (e.g., hears that someone has a hit list or is going to bring a gun to school), the child has a responsibility to tell an adult at school or their parent immediately.
- Explain the odds. Schools are typically safe environments. The chances of being killed in school are less than one in a million according to the US Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/edpicks.jhtml?src=qc
- Explain that violence is not an acceptable solution to problems children may experience. Parents need to explicitly address this because many messages children are exposed to from various parts of society (tv, movies, etc.) communicate that violence is a solution.
- Ask questions about how safe your children feel in their schools. You should also ask about behaviors (e.g., are there places at school they avoid because they don't feel safe?). When asking questions, it is important to actively listen to the answers. If concerns are raised, parents need to follow up with the school and keep their children informed about what is being done about their concerns.
For further information on school safety or violence, please visit the Center for the Prevention of School Violence at http://www.cpsv.org
We all have a desire to provide our children with a safe and nurturing learning environment. Hopefully, some of the tips we've supplied will help ensure your child's education experience is safe and happy.
-David Cohn
HOT TOPIC
FLU SEASON IS ALMOST HERE
Just a quick reminder that flu season is just around the corner. Public health officials want to remind everyone over the age of 60, and those individuals with any chronic health problems, to protect themselves from influenza this winter by getting immunized.
Seniors are not the only ones who need the flu vaccine. People who suffer from diabetes, asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system are more likely to have severe illness or complications if they contract the flu.
Anyone not falling into the categories listed above who wishes to decrease their risk of illness from the flu should also be immunized, but they should wait until November, so those at highest risk can be immunized first. Most flu seasons actually begin in January or February, so November and December are excellent months to be vaccinated.
The County of Kern provides low cost community flu shots. For a list of locations, telephone the local Department of Public Health Services at 661-868-0290.
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