OKINAWA, Japan (August 19, 2014) -- The first day of school for students here on Okinawa is August 25th. The start of a new school year creates more traffic congestion, pedestrian traffic in and around our schools. Our children rely on walking, riding a bicycle, riding with parents or riding the school bus in order to get to school each day. Students and parents should keep in mind safety concerns associated with going back to school. Ensure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies.
Walking and Biking to School
Even if your child doesn't ride the school bus, they still need to protect themselves and be careful about getting to and from school. Generally, there is minimal supervision when a child walks to school or takes the school bus. Young pedestrians face a wide variety of decisions while walking to and from school. Here are a few basic safety tips to follow:
•Parents should talk to children and establish the best route for their younger children to take to school. Walk the route beforehand with your child. Choose the quickest way with the fewest street crossings and use intersections with crossing guards. Remind students that they are to walk the chosen route every day.
•Never walk alone -- always travel with a buddy. Try and find a friend, or make a new friend in the neighborhood to walk to school or ride the bus with.
•Respect traffic lights and street signs.
•Avoid loose fitting clothing that could get caught in spokes or pedals.
•If your child bikes make sure they wear a helmet.
•Children who walk or ride bicycles to school should be taught to look before
crossing the street "RIGHT, LEFT, and RIGHT" in Japan instead of "left, right and left in the states, and cross only at designated crossing.
•Wear reflective or bright color clothing to increase visibility.
Riding the School Bus
In the United States, it is estimated that 24 million students start their school day with a trip on the school bus. Statistically, school buses are the safest mode of transportation. Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, parents should remind their children about these simple safety tips.
•Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before your bus is scheduled to pick you up.
•Line up facing the bus, not along side it.
•Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack and never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it.
•Always stand four (4) giant steps back from the curb. When lining up, make your line away from the street.
•Never walk behind the bus.
•If you have to cross the street, take at least ten giant steps forward on the sidewalk before turning to cross the street. That way, you and the bus driver can see each other.
•If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver before you pick it up. You want to make sure that the bus driver knows where you are at all times.
•Obey the bus driver/security attendant's instructions.
•Move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus.
•Students will also receive training on how to enter, exit and what to do in case of emergencies.
Parents should remind their children about the inherent risks associated with going to school and coming home safely. They should also make a conscious effort to be aware of the small children trying to make it to their destination. All drivers should watch out for those parents that will be picking up and dropping of their child and, most importantly, watch for children darting out from between cars or behind bushes and shrubs.
For additional information log on to http://www.dodea.edu/Pacific/offices/Logistics/transportation.cfm.
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