FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — On Aug. 22, Waynesville R-VI and several surrounding school districts will begin the 2022-23 school year. Families will change schedules and routines; purchase supplies; and orient themselves to new school buildings, personnel and procedures. Not all of us have children attending school, but all of us play a role in the safety of our school-aged children.
“Buckle up, phones down” — don’t drive distracted. Slow down, obey posted speed limits, and show caution for vehicles and pedestrians moving to and from school events. Be careful when backing out of your driveways or garages. Watch for children walking or biking and look out for sudden movement. Lastly, obey school bus laws — red flashing lights and extended stop arms mean stop until the lights stop flashing. Never attempt to go around a stopped bus.
Ensure children who ride buses arrive early to their pickup points. Instruct them not to play in the street while waiting and to remain six feet from the curb as the bus approaches. If they must cross the street after leaving the bus, they should do so 10 feet in front of the bus for driver visibility; and once off the bus, they should stay six feet from it. Teach children to tell the driver if they drop an item near the bus.
Children who walk or bike to and from school, should never walk or bike alone or with strangers. Plan walking and biking routes to maximize use of intersections with crossing signals or guards. Teach children the rules for crossing roads. For bikers, ensure helmets meet U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, Snell or American Society for Safety Testing and Materials standards.
On the first day of school, commanders and supervisors should allow civilian employees to take 59 minutes as administrative leave and should allow service members to drop-off or pick-up their children. We are proud to serve with each of you and want you to safely enjoy the 2022-23 school year.
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