With the start of a new school year just days away, it’s a great time to discuss school safety.

As observed every new school year, many become overwhelmed or stressed from trying to get everything ready for the first day/week of school. It’s best to plan your daily start early and be mindful of our kiddos and their safety while on your daily commute.

Consider the following safety tips and know what to expect from law enforcement. Safety is our number one priority!

NEW CAMPUS H.T. Faulk

With our new campus almost ready, you’ll want to take note of the new school zone laws that went into effect earlier this month. Please reflect back to our post about the new ordinances and the student and traffic management plan for this campus.

Walkers

Teach your children the basic rules of the road that apply to walkers. For example: NEVER cross the street against a red light, wait for the green light. Walkers should stay visible, wear reflective clothing/backpacks, or wear bright colors so motorists can see them. Plan a safe, direct route to and from school or the bus stop, and parents stay aware of your child’s route. If able, children should walk in groups.

Lastly, teach your children to avoid suspicious locations or people and to report those instances to a person of trust (teacher, police officer, or other trusted adult). A good way to know and avoid some of these places is by visiting our Sex Offender Page or by viewing the dots in Life360.

Cyclists

Cyclists must obey the rules of the road. This means cyclists must stop for red lights and stop signs, etc. Also, bicycles must be equipped with front and rear reflectors. A red taillight and clear front headlight must be used when riding after dark. Again, it’s a good idea to wear reflective or brightly colored clothing to help with visibility.

Message for Motorists

Be prepared for heavy traffic and long delays the first couple of weeks. It’s a good idea to plan your day a bit earlier so you’re not in a rush. While on your commute, be mindful of children on bikes and on foot, because they may have an occasional tendency to dart out in front of you.

HANG UP AND DRIVE! – Using your cell phone for calls or texting is prohibited citywide, not just in a school zone. You will receive a citation, so hang up and drive.

Law Enforcement Activities

We’ll be out patrolling. We’re looking for speeding motorists, along with distracted and aggressive drivers. School zone violations will be strictly enforced! This means if you are contacted for one of the following violations, you will most likely receive a ticket.

Violations

Passing a stopped, loading/unloading school bus,
Illegal Parking violations, including double parking,
Traveling the wrong way in a one-way,
Speeding in School Zone,
Use of Cell Phone, and
Unrestrained Child Passengers.

Officers on patrol will be in marked and unmarked police vehicles. Fair warning: We are watching and working to provide for another safe and prosperous school year.

Working together we can ensure the safest, most favorable atmosphere for our children to live, learn, and play this school year.

For Parents

We continue to work closely with APISD to provide for the safest environment for students and staff. If you recall, APISD and the City of Aransas Pass have adopted the Standard Response Protocol created by the I Love You Guys Foundation. Parents, staff, and students will continue to learn more about and practice this protocol as the year evolves.

Additionally, the PD and ISD will triage all “See Something, Say Something” reports to staff or the PD. Our best effort is to ensure we are doing all we can to maintain healthy mental wellness of all students and staff.

Stay informed, stay protected!

Be a Hero, not a Bully

Instead of bringing others down, lift them up. How you treat others in person and online defines who you truly are. Your actions today will impact your future tomorrow.

Resourceful Links

Standard Reponse Protocol – A critical ingredient in the safe school recipe is the uniform classroom response to any incident. Weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to student safety are scenarios that are planned and trained for by school and district administration and staff. Historically, schools have taken this scenario-based approach to respond to hazards and threats. It’s not uncommon to find a stapled sheaf of papers or even a tabbed binder in a teacher’s desk that describes a variety of things that might happen and the specific response to each event.

Life360 – We’ve partnered with Life360 to bring you & your family added security. Keep an eye on your loved ones while providing them a way to alert you when something is wrong. Additionally, we supply Life360 with crime data through SpotCrime.com so you know what’s going on around you and your loved ones. Also, set up alerts and know that your child has made it safely to school or safely back home.

NCMEC – The National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provides a wealth of resourceful information. Did you know – attempted abductions occur more often when a child is going to or from school or school-related activities? Learn more at NCMEC online and arm your child with knowledge.