Summer vacation is officially over. We saw evidence of it
beginning last week and in full force this week when big yellow school busses
took to the roadways to deliver our children to and from our hallowed halls of
learning.
Throughout this first official start of the new school year,
you can be sure that parents will be in a rush to get their young charges to
school on time, those who live near schools will be walking, jumping and
skipping their way to and fro and busses will make several starts and stops as
they pick up and drop off students to school and back at home.
While much is always said about school violence and bullying
in headlines around the world, the main operative this week is the safety of
students traversing to and attending school.
In the United States, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign says
school-age children are nine times more likely to sustain an unintentional
injury – whether on the playground or in school – than to be the victim of
violence while at school.
If you’re a parent, talk to your youngsters about proper
conduct on the bus or the safest route to walk or bike to and from school. They
need to know the most basics of traffic rules, including the use of helmets if
they’re riding their bicycles to school.
Children should know their home address, how to call 911 in
an emergency and important telephone numbers for their parents and other
trusted adults.
Drivers especially need to be aware that school is back in
session and to obey the 15 miles per hour speed limit that is in all school
zones in the Cayman Islands. Blinking yellow lights will let you know when you
are approaching such a zone, while signage will advise you when you can speed
back up.
Let’s hope that this is a productive and safe school year,
in the classroom, on the playground, on the bus and in getting our students to
and from school.
Take some time this week to think about the safety of your
child and others and take time out to teach them about safety on the bus, on
the playground and in the classroom.
Those efforts you make could prevent injury to our future
generations of young adults.
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I often see students get off the bus and cross the road without looking to check that the traffic has indeed stopped for them … sometimes an adult ushers children safely across, but the little ones should STILL be taught to check for themselves.
The other danger I see all the time in Cayman is people (children and adults alike) cycling after sunset with no lights. Worries me.
Today’s editorial offers good advice to parents, guardians, and children about safety while traveling to and from school.
I agree that drivers need to be aware of, and strictly observe the speed limit in the various school zones. It is also most important for children to be always cautious because of the one or two drivers who may either ignore or disregard the speed limit and flashing yellow lights. I’m sure well thinking parents will inform their kids about these possibilities.
Children should also refrain from playing with each on the streets while walking to/from school as this reduces their alertness to passing vehicles.