Focusing on safety as school begins

It has been said that you learn more by the age of 5 than you will the rest of your life. I think learning should be a process that we always strive for without end, no matter the age. One of the learning periods throughout our life is one that will be starting this month for many young people. From pre-school to high school, children all over Vernon County will be starting the school year once again. This can be a big adjustment for the child and the parent. Some will see their child off to school for the first time, while others will see their child start the beginning of their last year of high school. During the school year, children will spend more time in school than anywhere else, other than home. The schools here in Vernon County are among the safest schools around, but it is always good to be vigilant and practice safety. The following are some safety tips given by the National Crime Prevention Council that can be helpful for both the child and the parent to know as the school year begins.

You can map out with your children a safe way for them to walk to school or to the bus stop. Tell them to avoid busy roads and intersections. Do a trial run with them to point out places they should avoid along the way, such as vacant lots, construction areas, and parks where there are not many people. You can teach your child to follow traffic signals and rules when walking or biking. Encourage children to walk to school or the bus stop with a sibling or friend, and to wait at bus stops with other children. Teach children not to talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or accept gifts from them without your permission. Tell them that if they see a suspicious stranger hanging around or in their school they should tell an adult. Help children memorize their phone number and full address, including area code and zip code. Write down other important phone numbers such as your work and cell phone on a card for your children to carry with them.

Talk to your children about their day. Sometimes children will not tell you right away if they are having problems at school. Look for warning signs, such as a sudden drop in grades, loss of friends, or torn clothing, and help teach children to resolve problems without fighting. Explain that fighting could lead to them getting hurt, hurting someone else, or earning a reputation as a bully. Talk to them about other ways they can work out a problem, such as talking it out, walking away, or talking to the teacher.

Children should feel safe at school and have fun while learning. Having a teacher at school and a parent at home that are both encouraging to the child and available to talk can make a big impact on the child. People who live near a school can help watch for suspicious activity, and those who drive past schools can make an extra effort to be cautious as they drive through school zones and bus stop areas. Our children are the most valuable investment in life we will ever make, so let's all work together to make their life a safe as possible!