Thought for the school year

Can you believe summer is over, and it's time to back to school, here is some things you should know...... Dave

Safety tips for students:

• Be alert to traffic. Check both ways for cars before stepping off a bus.
• While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
• Never go near or under the bus to retrieve something you've dropped.
• Tell your parents and other trusted OCPS staff about any suspicious persons or situations.
• Stay with a buddy, a group, or parents at the bus stop.
• Report strangers who are hanging around school or regularly passing by a school bus stop.
• Walk or bike along a route that your parents or your school has determined is safe.
• If you are bullied, tell the bully to stop; then walk away and tell an OCPS employee or parent.

Safety tips for parents:

• Give school officials accurate contact information so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
• Get to know the parents of other students and school bus riders.
• Team up with other parents to monitor bus stops and bus routes.
• Get to know your school's transportation coordinator and your child's bus driver.
• Keep school phone numbers handy in case a bus is delayed or in the event of an emergency.
• Talk to your child about your personal emergency notification arrangements and let your child and school officials know if you anticipate being unavailable or difficult to reach for an extended period of time.
• Stay informed about potentially serious situations, such as inclement weather.
• Monitor local media when serious conditions arise at school or in the community that might result in school evacuation, early dismissal, or school closing.
• Notify school officials if you see or hear of anything that could create a danger at school. If you prefer, you may call the anonymous Speak Out Hotline at 1-800-226-7733.

Be sure to visit ocps.net for updates and information on future school events.