CASPER, Wyo. — Natrona County students officially head back to school on Monday, Aug. 25 and the Natrona County School District is teaming up with the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office and the Casper Police Department to offer a series of Back to School Safety Reminders.
“As the summer draws to a close, students, staff, and school families across Natrona County are excitedly preparing for the start of a new school year,” a release from the NCSD states. “As our community gets ready to send our children back to school, we must prioritize their safety and well-being. By following these back-to-school safety reminders, we can work together to ensure a safe, successful, and exceptional school year for all.”
In order to do that, these agencies have put together a series of Back to School Safety Reminders for both students and the general public.
Know the Signs
- Motorists should be aware of school zones and always obey all traffic laws.
- Familiarize yourself with important traffic signs, crosswalks, and school zones
- that you may come across not only in your daily commute but throughout your neighborhood and the entire county.
- Pay careful attention to school zones, bus stops, stop signs, and other important traffic elements in place to keep students safe while walking, riding, busing, or biking to and from school.
- School Bus Stop Sign Awareness. Red means stop, both flashing lights and/or the stop sign.
- “Drivers need to be aware and diligent at all times. It is imperative that as
- drivers, we pay attention to and are aware of school zones and bus stops,”
- shared NCSD Director of Public Relations Tanya Southerland. “You must
- stop for buses when the stop sign is out and/or the red lights are flashing.
- These laws are in place to protect our children. Let’s keep them safe together.”
Ready, Set, Go! Planning with Purpose
Now is a great time to have proactive conversations with your children regarding
their daily walk or ride to and from school and discuss simple safety measures to
keep them safe.
■ Talk to your children about recognizing and obeying traffic signals, signs,
and pavement markings.
■ If walking/biking to and from school, remind your children to be aware of
their surroundings and to put down distractions such as cell phones,
headphones, etc.
■ Always look both ways before crossing the street, and only cross the street
using a crosswalk.
■ Walk and never run across intersections.
■ Never enter streets from behind parked cars, shrubbery, signs, etc., that
may block your view or the view motorists have of you.
■ Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear when biking/riding to
and from school.
■ “With just a few days before the start of school, now is the perfect time for
parents to have important safety conversations with their children,” said
Casper Police Department’s Public Information Officer Rebekah Ladd.
“Talking about safe routes, paying attention to surroundings, and
practicing simple precautions helps ensure our kids are prepared and
protected as they head back to school.”
- Digital Safety Reminders
- The start of a new school year is an excellent opportunity to open a conversation with your child about being safe online.
- The best way to keep your kids safe online is to know who they are talking to.
- Have an honest, age-appropriate conversation with your kids about onlin expectations and, most importantly, tell a parent/trusted adult if they ever encounter an uncomfortable situation online.
- “Say NO, GO and TELL” Safety Rule
- Familiarize your student with the safety rule, “Say NO, GO and TELL.” If anyone approaches your child, offers them a ride, asks for directions or makes them feel uncomfortable, instruct them to say “NO,” get away from the situation (GO), and TELL a trusted adult. Be sure to discuss with your child who trusted adults may be: parents, teachers, police officers, firefighters, relatives, etc.
- Be Alert! – Never Drive Distracted
- Eliminate distractions while driving. Never text and drive, and keep your eyes on the road. Talk with your teen drivers about the critical importance of avoiding distracted driving.
- “We urge drivers to be especially vigilant of students walking to and from school, pedestrians in crosswalks, and bicyclists on the roadway,” said Natrona County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kiera Hett. “Avoid distractions, slow down, and give yourself extra time on your commute so everyone can arrive safely at their destinations.”
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