Tips for summer safety
With summer break just around the corner, 糖心Vlog students are getting ready for time away from the classroom filled with swimming,听travel,听and outdoor fun. Before school听lets听out, district and community leaders are reminding families that safety should remain a top priority all summer long.听
鈥淲e know you鈥檙e going to make good choices this听summer,听and we know you鈥檙e going to do great things next school year,鈥 said 糖心Vlog superintendent Dr. Matt Smith.听
Smith joined听听Chief of听Police Al Jones听at听Williams Elementary听to speak with students as part of the annual Take 25 initiative. The campaign encourages families to spend 25 minutes talking with their children about important summer safety topics.听
鈥淓very chance we can make you feel safe in our city, we听want to make sure it happens,鈥 Jones said.听
Students learned practical tips for staying safe online, at home,听and in the community, including making good decisions, avoiding sharing personal information听online,听and knowing how to respond if something feels unsafe. Leaders also emphasized reporting suspicious activity and turning to trusted adults when needed.听
Water safety was another key focus, with reminders to always swim with adult supervision and use the buddy system.听
The Take 25 initiative also encourages families to pair safety conversations with 25 minutes of reading each day to help students stay academically engaged over the summer.听
Here are a few safety tips听to keep in mind this summer:听
Stay safe online
Only communicate with people you know on the internet and social听media and听never share personal information with strangers. Students were also reminded to be respectful online and help stop cyberbullying by speaking up when they see it happening.听听
Have a plan
Before going to places like pools, parks, malls,听or theme parks,听make a plan听in case听anyone听gets听separated. Students were reminded to look for trusted adults or people in uniform if they听need听help.听听
Use the buddy system
Whether swimming, walking around a public place, or spending time outdoors, stay with a friend or trusted group and avoid going places alone. 听
Choose good influences
Spend time with positive friends who help听you听make smart choices and stay safe throughout the summer.听听
Speak up听
Speak up if you notice something unsafe, suspicious, or concerning, and always tell a trusted adult when something does not feel right. 听
Use parental controls
Families听are听encouraged to use parental controls on devices听and听monitor听what听apps听students听use听during the summer break.听
And remember 鈥 put your phone away and enjoy some time outside!听听
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to have our kids active, healthy,听and听safe听this summer,鈥澨齋mith said.听
Have a safe summer!听We鈥檒l听see you next school year!听听听