School to start: be ready, be safe

by Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

School is starting and the stores are filled with notebooks, pens, pencils and calculators; children are getting anxious as parents ready themselves to place their trust in the teachers of the KMC schools.

But, the start of school Aug. 27 comes with some safety concerns. One of the biggest topics for the Kaiserslautern district school office and Ramstein leadership at all levels is the safety of all children while transiting to and from school, especially on the first day.

“Dozens of school staff, teachers and district personnel will be working hand-in-hand with (safety officials) and security forces members to watch out and ensure everyone is safe and knows the rules on the first day and everyday,” said Mike Bryant, Kaiserslautern School District safety and security officer. “It’s a big day for all of us; we want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible the first day for the children.”

In addition to encouraging safety in school, parents are reminded to keep a watchful eye on youngsters as they make their way to and from school.

(KMC SE and Security officer) Bryant recommends small children be escorted by an older sibling, parent or guardian, especially on the first day of school with the multitudes of other children all heading to the same destination. Active escorting by responsible caregivers helps promote safety and security.

Vigilance by parents, neighbors and other adults “is what’s really going to make the difference,” said Lt. Col. Eric Springer, the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron and senior community law enforcement officer for the Kaiserslautern Military Community. “Our community and its safety is our No. 1 concern and priority.”
Bryant added that parents should be teaching children to not speak to, get in a vehicle with or accept gifts from strangers.

Be sure to check the Ramstein LiveWire website at www.ramstein.af.mil/livewire.asp for updates to child-safety information, the neighborhood watch program, and for important emergency numbers to include the Ramstein Office of Special Investigations and Security Forces.

The Ramstein Official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ramsteinofficial will continue to post critical updates affecting the KMC.