Lesson Plan For A Safe School Year
Your back-to-school planning should include more than just classroom supplies; it should also include reviewing safety precautions. Fortunately, your Pasco Sheriff’s Office is here to help with your first lesson of the new school year. In this chapter, we’ll cover road safety for motorists and pedestrians, school threats, and online dangers you may see this time of year. Don’t worry, there won’t be a pop quiz, but we do expect you to apply what you learn here to the real world. So let’s get started!
We get it — your alarm didn’t go off, or you had to take the long route because of construction — that’s why you’re speeding, blowing past stop signs, and texting while driving, right? But it’s important to understand that there is no good excuse for disobeying traffic laws, especially when children are in the vicinity. Protecting kids as they travel to school is the priority, no matter the inconvenience to you. Be aware of your surroundings and remain distraction-free while driving through school zones and neighborhoods. Remember to take it easy on the gas pedal, so you’re prepared to stop suddenly should a child dart into the street without looking for oncoming traffic. Safe driving starts the moment you back out of your driveway; look twice for people walking behind your vehicle. That big yellow bus with the bright red flashing “STOP” sign extended means it’s time to brake. Please do not try to drive past; it jeopardizes the lives of those getting on and off the bus. For those with school children in their vehicles, ensure that everyone wears a seatbelt and removes their backpacks before buckling up. As an extra step to make your first day back go smoothly, learn the drop-off and pick-up procedures at your school.
The rules of the road are not just for motorists; they’re for the students, too. Pedestrians and bicyclists should use sidewalks whenever possible. When sidewalks are not available, walk facing traffic and stay as far from the road as possible. One of the first tips you learn as a child is to look both ways before crossing the street, but try to make sure that the area you are crossing is at a crosswalk or intersection. Try to make eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles; never assume they can see you. Traveling distraction-free applies to those who walk or bike to school. Remain vigilant and avoid wearing headphones. As an added step for our friends on wheels, make sure to wear a helmet while biking, and don’t forget to dismount your bicycle when crossing streets.
Call us uptight, but we don’t think joking about school threats is funny, and neither do the people you share a campus with. Fake threats, whether shared over social media or in the hallway with friends, are never taken lightly. When the fallout from real threats is cycling on the news, it puts into perspective why these “jokes” are no laughing matter. We never want to risk one of these allegedly fake threats being real; therefore, we thoroughly investigate each threat we are made aware of. PSO urges parents and guardians to talk with their children about how any threat of violence can have very serious consequences, including possible felony charges. The best way to respond to a potential threat is to report it to law enforcement immediately, not to share it on social media. If you are aware of a potential threat, report it to the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 or online at http://PascoSheriff.com/tips.
The start of the school year is always exciting, and many parents share fun pictures of the experience on social media. One of the most popular trends includes children holding signs with details, such as their name, school, grade, teacher, and more. Though these posts may be well-intentioned and make great keepsakes, they can also pose a few risks. PSO encourages citizens to pause before posting on social media. Potential predators and scammers look for clues such as what victims like, where they go to school, and names or nicknames. Rather than posting in the morning, wait until students return, and they can share their favorite parts of the first day to display safely.
While we’re on the topic of social media, now might be a good time to review the different apps and video games your children play. The online world is always changing, and the apps your kids use today might not be the ones they use tomorrow. As an added layer of security for your children, consider downloading the same apps to understand how they work and explore parental controls. Children need to understand what is considered appropriate online behavior and the real dangers that can be lurking on these platforms, including exploitation. Open conversations about online dangers will give kids the information they need to stay safe and give them the confidence to speak up when something is wrong.
Implementing these tips won’t just give you an A+ with PSO but also contribute to an all-around successful school year. Extra credit points if you share this information with others! Have an amazing and safe school year!
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