• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

PR for Police, Fire, Schools and Municipal Government

  • About
    • About
    • Team
    • Jobs at JGPR
    • Internships
  • Services
    • Content
    • Strategy
    • Standards
    • COVID-19 Crisis Communications
    • Work With Us
  • Our Work
    • Portfolio
    • Sectors We Serve
  • News
    • COVID-19 News
    • Client News
    • JGPR News
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Georgetown Police Department Urges Back to School Safety

August 10, 2015 John Guilfoil Client News, Police News

August 10, 2015 by John Guilfoil

For immediate release

Patch-Call-Georgetown-Patch

Georgetown Police Department
Donald C. Cudmore, Chief of Police
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 10, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Georgetown Police Department Urges Back to School Safety

GEORGETOWN — As the summer vacation draws to a close, Police Chief Donald C. Cudmore and the Georgetown Police Department are reminding the community of several safety practices when transitioning into the new school year.

The new school year begins Sept. 1 for Grades 1-12 and Sept. 2 for Kindergartners.

“The new school year is an exciting time for everyone, and we just want to make sure that all of Georgetown’s young people start the year off with safety in mind,” Chief Cudmore said. “We urge everyone to take note of these vital safety tips.”

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that approximately 400,000 students in the state are transported to school by buses every year. While school bus travel is generally very safe, the majority of related injuries occur when boarding or exiting a bus because of passing traffic or due to walking in one of the bus driver’s blind spots. Children ages 4 to 7 are at the highest risk of injury.

Chief Cudmore recommends parents follow safety procedures outlined by DPH to prevent accidents this school season.

  • Educate children on safe bus riding and walking behaviors when getting on and off the bus.
  • Teach young children to take five giant steps (10 feet) in front of the bus and to wait for the driver’s signal before crossing.
  • Develop appropriate bus pick-up/drop-off policies.
  • Closely supervise children under age 10 who must cross the street after exiting the bus.

“Georgetown prides itself on pedestrian safety, and we do not take lightly to motorists who fail to stop for the flashing red lights of a school bus,” Chief Cudmore said. “Stop and wait for the children to board or exit the bus, or to cross the street safely. Do not proceed until the bus driver has turned off the red lights and has begin moving again.”

The fine for illegally passing a school bus is a maximum of $200, and repeat offenders may have their licenses suspended.

Additionally, before sending your child off to school in the morning, Georgetown Police recommend checking backpacks to make sure they are a tolerable weight. The American Chiropractic Association advises that backpacks should weigh no more than 10 percent of a student’s body weight, as heavy pressure can negatively affect the skeletal and muscular development in children.

If walking to school, or when exiting the bus, parents and guardians should educate students about safely crossing the street. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among school-aged children 5 to 18 years old.

Most injuries to children in kindergarten through third grade occur when they run into the street mid-block, while older students are most often hurt at intersections. To prevent potential tragedies, children should

  • Be aware of pedestrian hazards and how to avoid them
  • Know traffic signs and signals, and safe walking zones
  • Wait for the “walk” signal at a crosswalk, or for a crossing guard to signal the OK to proceed into the street

Parents and guardians should also remind their children about responsible behavior while on school playgrounds. The National Safety Council reports that unsafe playgrounds are the leading cause of injury to children between ages 5 to 14 and that 40 percent occur due to inadequate adult supervision. Children should:

  • Not push or shove each other while on jungle gyms, swings, seesaws and other equipment.
  • Leave bags somewhere off the playground so that no one trips over them.
  • Avoid clothes with drawstrings or other pieces that could get caught on playground equipment.

###

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Client News,  Police News back to school,  back to school 2015,  fall,  fall 2015,  Georgetown,  police,  safety,  school bus,  tips

About John Guilfoil

John Guilfoil is the founder and principal owner of JGPR.

Primary Sidebar


Email Updates

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,070 other subscribers

Recent News

  • Kearsarge Regional School District Hosts Media Literacy Presentations January 30, 2023
  • Southbridge Public Schools Partners with ENGAGE Massachusetts to Support Students’ Success  January 30, 2023
  • Fast-Acting West Newbury Firefighters Prevent Serious Damage to Barn with Animals Inside January 29, 2023
  • Statement of Maynard Police Chief Michael Noble Regarding Senseless Death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis January 29, 2023
  • A Statement from the Woburn School Committee and Mayor Scott Galvin Regarding Ongoing Contract Negotiations January 29, 2023

Content. Strategy. Standards.

When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency.


Contact Us Work With Us

Footer

Always Open

Call us: 617-993-0003

We’re available 24/7/365.

Location

Main Office
Northern New England

8 Prospect St.
Georgetown, MA 01833
617-993-0003

Southern New England
719 Washington St.
Canton, MA 02021
781-428-3299

Award Winning

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Stay up-to-date with breaking JGPR client news.

Subscribe to this website

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,070 other subscribers
Copyright © 2023 John Guilfoil Public Relations, LLC Log in · Privacy Policy
 

Loading Comments...