Superintendent’s Corner

October 2007

By Dr. Richard A. DiPatri, Superintendent

Be there for your students—that is the simple message of the “Be There” campaign launched Oct. 1 by Brevard Public Schools. I shared some background information on this important parental involvement effort in last month’s column.

This month, I want to remind you of some important safety information as you think about ways to “Be There” for your children. As parents, you take every step necessary to make sure your children are kept safe. As educators, we share that priority with you. We all have a responsibility to talk to our students and remind them of how important it is to follow the safety guidelines set by parents, police, municipalities and the school district.

With the school year in full swing, we must all be vigilant regarding student safety. Here are just a few reminders to prevent tragedies from happening. If you haven’t already, please communicate with your child to insure that they observe these key safety tips:

• Wear helmets when riding bicycles – Florida law mandates that children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Since so many of our students ride their bikes to school, parents should be diligent in reminding them to wear a helmet, even though it can be hot and uncomfortable. Statistics show that helmets are an excellent way to prevent head trauma, one of the leading killers of children involved in bicycle accidents.

• Observe driving curfews – Parents need to remind students of mandatory driving curfews set up by the Division of Motor Vehicles. With a Learner’s License, students may only drive during daylight hours during the first three months and until 10 p.m. thereafter; always with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and who occupies the front passenger seat.

• Slow down when driving – Parents should remind students to obey posted speed limit signs as well as other traffic signals and devices. The primary cause of many accidents is driving too fast. Plus, the penalties are costly if you are caught by the police, since speeding ticket costs can quickly total hundreds of dollars.

• Keeping tabs on your students – When a child is under the age of 18, parents are responsible for their whereabouts. Constant communication is crucial in monitoring children’s behavior. A cell phone is not a substitute for knowing where your child is at all times. Students should not be left unattended at bus stops, malls, parks, and other areas where there is no adult supervision.

• Observe safe driving habits – While students may be used to multi-tasking on computers, this does not mean that students can be distracted by cell phones, music, and friends. Insurance companies have repeatedly shown that the risk of accidents increases as the number of students in a car becomes greater.

• Teach your child to board and leave the bus safety – Parents need to remind students where the bus stop is located, 10 feet behind the road’s edge. Students should never cross in front of the bus, but rather wait until the bus has passed.

• Watch for signs of bus stops - Citizens should be aware that Brevard transports approximately 30,000 students twice per day, Monday through Friday. There are specific rules and regulations when driving near or around school buses and bus stops. While municipalities are responsible for school crossing guards at the busiest and most dangerous intersections, citizens are responsible for safe driving practices especially in school zones.

These are just a few important points to remember when considering student safety. It just takes a moment to talk to your kids about safety, and keeping them safe is what we are all here to do. Thank you for being there for your students!