Submitted article
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of a Bucyrus student and the City of Bucyrus Police and Fire Departments, the Bucyrus Safety Town program is back for 2014. This year’s program will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Bucyrus Elementary School June 16-20, 2014.
Bucyrus Safety Town is a program for all children entering kindergarten living in the City of Bucyrus. Bucyrus firefighters, police officers, teachers, and special guests will interact with children daily. Participants will receive instruction about personal safety. Issues such as stranger danger, pedestrian safety, fire safety, railroad safety, bicycle safety, car and bus safety will be presented in a fun and age appropriate manner.
The idea to reinstitute the program was initiated by Bucyrus seventh grade student Sarah Lipscomb as a project for her Girl Scout troop.
“I wanted to bring Safety Town back to Bucyrus because of all the recent accidents between children and cars,” Lipscomb said. “This program will teach children safety skills that will help prevent accidents in the future.”
In addition to the support of the district and local safety forces, Safety Town is also being underwritten by a grant from the Community Foundation for Crawford County.
“I had a bake sale and earned some money for my project but realized that since we were starting from scratch, it was going to cost a lot more money than what I had thought,” Sarah said “I approached Mrs. Pry at the Community Foundation and she explained the grant process. She looked it over once I was finished too. I was very excited and relieved to receive the grant and I definitely owe the Community Foundation a big thank you.”
Registration for this event is now open, and completed forms will be accepted until May 23, 2014. Registration forms are available at the Bucyrus Elementary School, Bucyrus Police Department and Bucyrus Fire Department. Forms are also available for download from “Students and Parents” section of the school district’s website at www.bucyrusschools.org. Completed forms should be returned to the Elementary School and Police or Fire Departments.
“I would like to commend Sarah for her hard work and dedication in planning and organizing this very important learning experience for the children in our community,” Bucyrus Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “This is another example of the ongoing collaboration between local safety forces and the school district, and having this project spearheaded by one of our students makes the event even more special.”
For questions or additional information, please contact Bucyrus Police Department School Resource Office Tom Walker at 419-562-1006 or email bpd@cityofbucyrusoh.us. You may also contact Mrs. Nancy Lipscomb at the Elementary School at 419-562-6089 or email nlipscomb@bucyrusschools.org.