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Canfield kindergartners get safety lesson
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Soon-to-be kindergarteners at Hilltop Elementary School went on their first school bus ride during Canfield PTO Kindergarten Safety Day Aug. 20.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Grace Rosko (left) and Anna Dudash started off the school year by helping at Canfield PTO Kindergarten Safety Day Aug. 20.
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During Canfield PTO Kindergarten Safety Day Aug. 20, the Canfield Fire Department covered fire safety and described the firefighter’s gear and equipment they use during a fire and gave the children tips on what to do if there is ever a fire at their home.
By ABBY SLANKER
Fifty-five soon-to-be kindergartners at Hilltop and C.H. Campbell elementary schools came out Aug. 20 for a day of safety instruction provided by Canfield PTO.
The event, which was hosted by St. Michael’s Church, is a collaboration between C.H. Campbell PTO members and Hilltop PTO members, with Annette DePalmo and Julie Dudash serving as co-coordinators.
Kindergarten Safety Day was designed to teach the children important safety guidelines and included presentations from the Canfield Police Department, Canfield Fire Department, Akron Children’s Hospital and the Austintown Fire Women’s Auxiliary. The children were scheduled to visit all four stations.
A highlight of the program, and a favorite of the children, was an opportunity for them to take their first bus ride to their respective elementary school.
The children were given name tags that were color coded and were instructed to follow the corresponding schedule in the Safety Day informational handout they received at the registration table.
The Canfield Police Department focused on teaching the children pedestrian safety and they were able to check out the inside of a police cruiser.
The Canfield Fire Department covered fire safety and described the firefighter’s gear and equipment they use during a fire and gave the children tips on what to do if there is ever a fire at their home. The children also checked out all aspects of the fire truck and were given plastic fire helmets and stickers.
A representative from Akron Children’s Hospital talked to the children about staying healthy in kindergarten and the Austintown Fire Women’s Auxiliary spoke to the children about stranger danger and pet danger.
To end Safety Day, the children were split into groups according to the school they will attend, and while the Hilltop students took their first school bus ride, C.H. Campbell students were treated to a snack provided by the Canfield PTO.
When the bus returned from Hilltop Elementary, it was the C.H. Campbell students’ turn to take their first bus ride, while the Hilltop students ate a snack.
Bus driver Debbie Matavich explained the safety rules to all the children before they climbed aboard the bus. She told them to always watch the bus driver and demonstrated the signals the drivers use to let the children know it is safe to board the bus.
Matavich also stressed the importance of the bus driver being able to see the children.
“The most dangerous part of the bus is the front of the bus. We don’t want anyone crossing right in front of the bus. You must stay at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you,” Matavich said.
All participants received a personalized safety certificate and a goody bag containing a Canfield Cardinals water bottle, a book titled “Don’t Talk to Strangers,“ both purchased by the PTO, and an activity book donated by Jason Reckard of State Farm Insurance.