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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Education and safety tips are high on to-do list as Naperville schools begin again

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Above / At 8:45AM Mon., Aug. 17,  families had begun lining the sidewalks near the entrance to May Watts Elementary School for classroom orientation before the first day of school this Thursday.

A joyful buzz resonated in front of May Watts Elementary early this morning, Aug. 17, as hundreds of families lined up eager to experience “Meet Your Teacher Day” with a classroom orientation. This Thursday, students in School District 204 will head to class on their own to begin the 2015-16 school year.

The sound of bells and buzzers also will be ringing beginning this Wed., Aug. 19, when the doors in School District 203 also open for the official start of the 2015-16 school year.

may-watts-9

Above / By 9AM, families had lined the sidewalks all the way from Whispering Hills to get a first class look at May Watts Elementary School where students K-5 will spend the 2015-16 school year.

Adult education this week, too!

Happenings this week also are plentiful for a little adult education.

Whether school board meetings, a Town Hall Meeting or a City Council Meeting, forums present opportunities to pay attention and provide public input.

  • Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation features a presentation of the City’s Budget & Financial Strategy / 7PM Mon., Aug. 17 / City Hall, 400 S. Eagle St.
  • Board of Education of Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Business Meeting /7PM Mon., Aug. 17, 2015, at the Administration Center, 203 W. Hillside Road, Naperville, IL. (School District 203 is comprised of 22 schools.) The Agenda is available at http://www.boarddocs.com/il/naperville203/Board.nsf/Public
  • IPSD 204 Board of Education Regular Meeting / 7PM Mon., Aug. 17 (School District 204 has 33 schools. Note: Watch 204 board meetings live: http://204tv.org/live or archived at 204tv.org.) The Board of Ed meets in the Board Room on the second floor of the Howard Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora.
  • Naperville City Council Meeting / 7PM Tues., Aug. 18 / City Hall / Click here to link to the agenda.

Too many times residents tell us they didn’t know in time to attend or watch public meetings. We aim to do a better job with reminders that many public meetings are saved in archives and available for replay on demand.

Editor’s Note / Local control of spending and public policy provides a philosophy most taxpayers can embrace. Become engaged with the facts and decisions that could affect local pocket books. Keep elected officials apprised of your opinions and possible solutions.

Back-to-School Safety Tips

As Naperville school children begin the 2015-2016 school year, the City of Naperville sent news that the Naperville Police Department is asking families to make Back-to-School Safety a priority.

Before the first day of school, parents should talk to their students about the following topics.

  • Students should know their home address and phone number as well as a parent’s cell phone number. Help your child practice it so they have it memorized before school begins.
  • Use the buddy system. Always walk to and from school with a friend or stay with a group at the bus stop.

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Above / Buses brought youngsters to “Meet Your Teacher Day” at May Watts Elementary School, one of 33 schools in the K-12 District 204. Teach your children their school bus number before school starts.

  • There is safety in numbers. If riding the bus, visit the bus stop with your children and be sure they know their bus numbers.
  • Walk/ride in well lighted areas and never take shortcuts. Instruct children to avoid places they cannot be seen or heard and to stay on the School Walk Routes. More information is available at www.naperville.il.us/walkroutes.aspx.
  • Before the first day of school, walk to and from school with your child. Be sure to point out “Helping Hand” houses along the way. “Helping Hand” households are safe places for kids to go when they need emergency adult assistance. More information is at www.naperville.il.us/helpinghand.aspx.
  • Stay within the crosswalks and obey all traffic signals and signs. Obey the crossing guard, if one is available. If children ride their bikes to school, make sure they wear a helmet.

Say NO, Go and Tell

  • Teach children the safety rule, “Say NO, GO and TELL.” If anyone approaches your child, offers them a ride, asks for directions or makes them feel uncomfortable, instruct them to say “NO,” get away from the situation (GO), and TELL a trusted adult. Be sure to discuss with your child who trusted adults may be: teachers, parents, a friend’s parents, neighbors, police officers, firefighters, relatives, etc.
  • Make sure children understand never to leave school with anyone they haven’t been instructed to leave with by you. If someone comes up to them and tells them that there is an emergency and they want your child to go with them, be sure they know to check first with you or another trusted adult (school personnel) before doing so.
  • If your students will be taking care of themselves after school, please provide them with additional safety rules at www.naperville.il.us/onyourown.aspx.

For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/backtoschool.aspx.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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