Safety and Security

Dear parents and guardians, 

Whether they’re walking or biking to get to school or home, we want all of our students to do so safely, and our latest safety campaign focuses on just that. 

As part of the Play it Safe: Pedestrian and Bike Safety campaign, parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss with their children the best practices for traveling to and from school and the importance of staying alert and aware of their surroundings. 

Parents and guardians should make modeling safe behaviors when navigating the community’s roads and sidewalks an ongoing effort to reduce accidents and injuries. 

Here are some key tips for playing it safe: 

• Become familiar with Florida’s traffic laws, especially those pertaining to pedestrians and bicyclists. Learn more about safe driving tips in this short safe driving PSA.
• Maintain bicycles and scooters and wear a properly fitting helmet while using them. Learn more about safe biking tips in this short pedestrian safety video.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists may need to share the roadway with motorists, so brightly colored clothing or items with reflective material are recommended. 

Motorists as well as pedestrians and bicyclists can avoid tragedies by avoiding distractions and focusing on safety. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to visit walkbiketoschool.org/plan/how-to-plan/safety-first/ for additional resources and tips. 

For students, the campaign emphasizes key internet safety measures: 

Encouraging thoughtful online connections, we advise students to set privacy settings on social media platforms and connect only with individuals they know in real life. A crucial aspect involves teaching them to exercise caution online, guiding them to refrain from clicking on unfamiliar links or opening emails from unknown sources to mitigate potential cyber threats. The campaign also addresses the critical issue of cyberbullying, stressing the significance of reporting any mean or hurtful messages to a trusted adult promptly. Furthermore, we advocate for our students’ overall well-being beyond the digital world. We encourage healthy habits that include taking breaks, engaging in physical exercise, dedicating time offline, and limiting daily online activity to less than two hours.

For parents and adults, the campaign underscores the following safety tips:

Foster an open dialogue with children about their online activities to gain a deeper understanding and provide guidance when necessary. Encourage the use of parental control settings on devices to monitor and restrict content, thereby ensuring a secure and age-appropriate online environment. Stress the importance of staying informed about the latest apps, games, and online trends that their children may encounter, positioning knowledge as a powerful tool in navigating the digital landscape. Urging vigilance, parents and adults are asked to promptly report any suspicious online behavior to the school or law enforcement, recognizing that their active involvement significantly contributes to the overall safety of our school community.

By collectively embracing these practices, we can cultivate a positive and secure online environment for our students. For additional resources and support, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated school counselors.

Thank you for your integral partnership in ensuring the well-being and safety of our students.