Small Moments, a blog about school counseling at Armstrong Elementary School
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Bus Safety

10/21/2018

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Dear Armstrong Parents/Guardians,
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This week, I am meeting with all classes to talk about bus safety.  Since many of our students ride the bus to and from school each day and every student will at some point use buses for field trips, teaching bus safety is important, as well as the law.  As part of the lesson, students learned about walking around and crossing in front of the bus, expected behavior on the bus, and the location of emergency exits as well as the first aid kit and fire extinguisher.  Students also practiced evacuating the bus using the rear exit.  Here at Armstrong, we follow the Golden Rule – Treat others the way you want to be treated.  We talked about the importance of this rule, even on the bus.    If you have a chance, ask your child/ren:
  • How should you safely walk alongside the bus?  (Make sure you are always at least three big steps away from the side of the bus, behind the yellow line in front of the school.  If you have dropped something alongside the bus, let the bus driver know before getting it.  Never cross behind the bus).
  • How should you cross in front of the bus?  (Take three big steps toward the front of the bus, enough to be in front of the crossing arm, and make eye contact with the bus driver.  When the bus driver gives you a wave, look both ways and cross the street).
  • How do you safely board and exit the bus?  (One person boards the bus at a time. While holding the hand rail, walk up the steps.  Make sure you watch the person in front of you in case they trip.  Also, make sure your shoelaces are tied before boarding and exiting the bus).
  • How are you expected to behave on the bus?  (Sit with your back and bottom on the seat, facing forward.  Make sure the aisle is always clear.  Give personal space.  Use indoor voices.  Stay seated in the same seat for the entire ride).
  • How do you exit the bus in an emergency using the rear door?  (Lift the back door handle.  Push open the door.  Students at the back of the bus exit first.  Walk to the exit and leave the bus using the “sit and scoot” method.  Move away from the bus). 
  • Where are the emergency exits and emergency equipment on the bus?  (Emergency exits are located on the side windows, on the ceiling, and at the rear of the bus.  The fire extinguisher and first aid kit are located next to the bus driver at the front of the bus.  None of these should be used unless there is an actual emergency).
  • What is the Golden Rule and how can we follow it on the bus?  The Golden Rule is “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.”  We can follow this rule by listening to the bus driver, using indoor voices, and staying seated.  We can use kind words, keep our hands to ourselves, and let others sit with us when they ask.

Thank you for your help reinforcing this important lesson!

David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School
PH:  508-836-7760, Email:  starrd@westboroughk12.org  
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Safety Alerts

10/9/2018

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Dear Armstrong Parents and Guardians,
​
Over the next few weeks, I will be going into all Armstrong classrooms to teach students about Safety Alerts.  Safety Alerts are a tool we are using to inform students and staff of any immediate safety concern.  Teachers and staff are being trained in strategies to respond to a range of possible situations, most notably what would happen if someone unsafe attempted to enter the building. 

As part of our lesson, students are taught about their job during a Safety Alert, which is:

     
          1. Stop and look at the teacher

          2. Listen and follow directions
          3. Be quiet 

Students are learning that if they are any place other than their classroom, their job is to find the nearest safe adult.  All staff members at Armstrong School wear name badges students can use to identify them as safe adults. 

If you have a chance, please review with your children their job during a Safety Alert.  You can also ask them what they might do if they were outside of the classroom, including in the bathroom, hallway, cafeteria, recess, or specials. 

Last, please encourage your children to approach their teacher or myself with any questions they might have on the Safety Alert procedure.  Our goal is to have students feel comfortable, and communication is essential to making this happen. 

Thank you for your help supporting this important lesson.

Sincerely,

​David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School
PH:  508-836-7760        Email:  starrd@westboroughk12.org  
​​

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    David Starr is the School Counselor at Armstrong Elementary School in Westborough, MA.

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