Page 10 - Abacoa Community News- August '24

Page 10, Abacoa
Back To School

As summer draws to a School Safety Tips Litter Literacy – Let’s Curb
close, August marks the time
for preparing to go back to Below tips are sourced from Palm Beach Schools’ site Litter!
school. We wish students, “School Safety-Palm Beach County School District Police
staff, and parents a safe and Department” and Palm Beach Schools’ site “I am school Back-to-school litter
healthy year. safety – A Guide for Parents.” For more information and prevention is essential
Below highlighted tips are a broader view, please visit www.palmbeachschools.org/ for maintaining a
sourced from the National Safety Council “Transportation Page/11019. healthy and clean
Safety Tips.” For more information and a broader view, • Be sure all of your emergency contact information is learning environment.
please visit https://www.nsc.org/search?query=back+to+sc current and correct. Littering is often caused
hool+safety. • Keep the school nurse informed of any medical by individuals who do
conditions/medications. not understand the
Transportation Safety Tips • Identify who is authorized to pick up your child. consequences of their
• Make sure your child knows their parent or guardian’s actions. Unfortunately,
Drivers Must Be Vigilant And Aware As School Begins name, address and phone number. this is a problem that
Set a good example: Drive the way you want your teen • All visitors, including parents, must sign in to the main affects us all.
to drive. Teen drivers’ car crashes are the No. 1 cause of office, present a picture ID to office personnel and obtain Litter can create a
death for teens. Practice with new drivers every week. Avoid a visitor’s badge/pass. Florida Statute: 810.097 Trespass large range of sometimes
teen carpools. Did you know? A single young passenger in upon the grounds or facilities of a school; penalties: arrest. unperceived problems,
a vehicle with a teen driver increases fatal crash risk by 44 (1) Any person who (a) Does not have legitimate business thereby affecting students’ learning. For example, when
percent. on the campus or any other authorization, license, or food waste isn’t put into a trash can where it can be carried
E-Bikes/Bike Riders invitation to enter or remain upon school property; or (b) away in a safe and timely manner, it can quickly become an
Teach your child the Is a student currently under suspension or expulsion. unhealthy breeding area for bugs and bacteria. Especially
laws and rules of the • Schools are required to practice emergency response here in Florida, the combination of the improperly discarded
road. Practice riding bike procedures by conducting practice drills throughout the organic waste, moisture and warm air creates the perfect
routes. Make sure your school year. These practice drills include Evacuation (Fire environment for dangerous bacteria to multiply quickly.
child always wears bright Drill), Lockdown, Shelter in Place and Severe Weather. Litter can be bad for school morale and bad for the
clothing and a properly • Please be aware that during practice drills, the parent school’s image. Distracting and demotivating to students,
fitted helmet. Find the right fit for a bike helmet at https:// will be asked to participate in the drill and follow response litter has the potential to affect mental health. When there is
www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23924-bike- procedures according to the drill. a lot of dirt and trash around school, it makes it less enjoyable
helmets-find-the-right-fit. • If you arrive at the campus during a lockdown drill, to be at school. Cleaner playgrounds create clearer minds,
Walkers you will be asked to wait outside the campus until the drill enhancing children’s happiness and connection with nature.
Review your family’s walking safety rules and practice concludes. If you are inside the building and are asked Trash on school grounds can create wear and tear on
walking to school with your child. to go into lockdown, you will not be able to leave until the landscape and other areas, damaging school property.
Cell Phones – Deadly Distraction the drill has ended. If you are picking up your child from Heavy flooding, as Florida is quite susceptible to, can drag
Remind your children of the dangers of walking while school, you will be asked to wait until after the drill has debris around, clogging pipes and drainage areas. This can
using a mobile device. Go over safety tips for year-round ended. become costly school maintenance and also create other
practice. Head Up – Phone Down: See www.nsc.org/ neighborhood, township, roadways, oceans, lakes, rivers and
community-safety/safety-topics/school-safety/head-up- Resources other environmental area problems.
phone-down for more tips. Littering can contaminate soil and water, harm wildlife,
Driving Your Child School District Bullying Hotline: (561) 982-0900 and even cause injury or death to animals. In fact, 60 percent
Avoid distracted Student Crime Stoppers: (800) 458-TIPS (8477) of water pollution is attributed to litter. In addition to water
driving. Stay extra alert Student Protect App: The Nation’s No. 1 app technology and land pollution, litter can also pollute the air.
to school zones, buses for students, parents, staff and faculty to anonymously Littering Costs Everyone!
and children. report threats and suspicious activity, receive instant For more information and ideas on combating litter on
Bus Riders school-specific safety alerts and notifications and make school grounds, visit the following sites:
Teach your children one-touch instant 911 calls that send law enforcement to • https://kab.org/
school bus safety rules. your exact location for help. • https://swa.org/202/In-School-Environmental-Lessons
Review school zone and crossing signs and rules. Get the Available for free on Android • https://www.stopwaste.org/sites/default/files/StopWaste-
facts at https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/ and iOS. 4Rs-Lesson2.pdf
school-bus/. F ollow @P BCSD on • https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/life-
Buses are considered the safest transportation for school Facebook, Twitter and lessons-dont-litter/
children, www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/ Instagram! The School District’s • https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
school-safety/buses-safest-transportation-for-school- Office of Communications is browse?search=litter%20activity
children. the epicenter for all breaking news.
School Drop-Off
Make sure you know your child’s specific school’s
procedures. For the safety of all kids, don’t double park or
drop children across the street.
Backpacks
Choose a backpack for your child carefully. It should
have ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and
comfort and use both straps for proper weight distribution.
For more information and a broader view, please visit
www.palmeachschools.org/Page/11019.