WHAT: Media availability
EVENT: Kickoff To CCSO Back To School Countdown
WHEN: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008
WHERE: On Airport-Pulling Road North in front of Pelican Marsh Elementary School
SUMMARY: Join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the launch of the CCSO Back To School Countdown.
CCSO is counting down seven days and giving the Collier County community seven ways to think about school and traffic safety.
Deputies will be in front of Pelican Marsh Elementary with a tent and a seven-day countdown banner reminding everyone in Collier County that the first day of school is Aug. 19. Deputies will also be talking about traffic safety and other tips for make the start school a safe one.
Also, look for banners at busy intersections around the county and the countdown message on community service deputies’ trucks.
The countdown is a way to remind motorists that our roads will soon be filled with cars and buses filled with schoolchildren. It’s also a way to remind school kids that they need to think about their own safety whether they’re on the bus, on the sidewalk, at school, or with friends.
For seven days CCSO will send out tips to remind the community that school’s nearly in session.
Here’s a look at “CCSO’s Seven Ways in Seven Days:”
1. GET ON THE BUS
If you ride the bus to school remember to wait until it comes to a complete stop and look both ways for traffic before you approach it.
Students must always be vigilant when traveling to and from school.
2. BE AWARE
If you walk to school make sure you're aware of your surroundings
And walk in groups. If a stranger approaches you scream, run and tell an adult what happened.
Parents should walk the route with their child at the beginning of the year to familiarize them with it.
3. WEAR A HELMET
If you ride your bike to school remember to wear a helmet and obey
all traffic safety laws. Lock your bike when you're not riding it.
4. TRUST A DEPUTY
Always remember that the school resource officer is there to help
you. Trust the deputy at your school anytime you have concerns.
5. SAFETY ON THE WEB
Remember that not everyone on the Internet has good intentions. Do
not communicate with people you don't know. If you have a Facebook or MySpace page, set it to private so that you know who's looking at your page.
Parents should monitor their childrens' Internet use closely to make sure nothing inappropriate is going on.
6. RED MEANS STOP
When it comes to slowing down or stopping for the school bus, motorists should heed the signs.
When the yellow lights on the school bus are flashing that’s your sign to slow down.
When the red lights on the bus are flashing that’s your sign to stop.
7. ABOVE THE INFLUENCE
Going along with the crowd isn’t always the best decision and can sometimes lead to trouble.
Think about the consequences of your actions. If something makes you uneasy, don’t do it just because your friends are.
