Shortly before school a brand-new school year began, 55 new kindergarteners attended Safety Town at Crestwood Primary School. Safety Town organizer and Crestwood Primary School teacher Jolene Reese noted that the week was successful, giving 55 incoming kindergarteners the opportunity to learn how to be safe at school, home, and on the playground. Reese expressed gratitude for the help provided by the Mantua Rotary Club.
“The kid love getting to know the building through this program,” Reese noted. “It helps them feel more comfortable about coming to kindergarten.”
Safety Town was made possible through the efforts of many individuals and organizations. “Several teachers volunteered this year,” Reese noted, “and built great relationships with the kids.” Crestwood Primary music teacher Jennifer Gilles taught the students songs and helped them learn to play simple instruments. Crestwood bus drivers told these new students how to remain safe on the bus traveling to and from school just in time for the upcoming school year.
The Mantua Fire Department and Hiram Fire Department let children take a close-up look at their vehicles and some of the gear they use during emergency situations. Deputy Amy talked with the kids about gun safety. She provided free gun locks to students to take home to their parents or guardians. Miss Lisa from the Portage County APL taught students the proper way to approach a dog, and how to stay safe around animals.
Optometrists from Realeyes spoke to students, about eye anatomy, eye safety and eye disorders. They provided The Realeyes program, created by the Ohio Optometric Association through a grant from the Ohio Department of Health Save Our Sight Fund.
The event was made possible through the generous support of the Mantua Rotary Club. The partnership began when Reese met with Rotarian Sandy Karm to discuss the details of this valuable program, and the funding that was required. Karm then presented the program to the Rotary Club who voted unanimously to fund the program for 2023. In addition to financial support, Rotary members Dan Tillet, Steve Zabor, Sandy Karm, Susan Steinberg and Rotary President David Becker came and volunteered all week helping students.
“The students had an amazing week,” noted Reese, “and their parents enjoyed a wonderful graduation at the end of Safety Town.”
