“Okay class,” said Miss Pat, “Let’s review making good choices to be safe both in and out of school.”

Hector looked bored and groaned. “Hector,” asked Miss Pat, “What are you groaning about? Do you know all about safe choices you need to make on the way to school and when you are in school?”

“Well Miss Pat,” answered Hector. “I don’t know everything about being safe but I know lots. I know that I’m still too young to cross the street by myself. I need an adult with me or a crossing guard to cross the street. I won’t be old enough to cross on my own until I am 10 years old.”

Miss Pat smiled, saying,”What else do you know about being safe on the way to and from school?”

Hector beamed and shared:

• “Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

• Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars.

• If you take a school bus, make sure you always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see you.

• Carry a flashlight at night, dawn and dusk.

• Wear a jacket or a scarf or something that can be seen by drivers even in the dark.”

“Excellent,” said Miss Pat. “Now who wants to tell me about some choices we need to make to be safe in school?”

Maria raised her hand and when Miss Pat called on her she said, “I know how to be safe in school. You just have to remember to:

• Walk don’t run in the hallways.

• Wait your turn, don’t push or cut in line.”

Maria added, “No fooling around when you are going up and down the stairs. Of course there is no throwing of books, bags, supplies and no hitting.”

Then Bobby raised his hand and said, “Food fights and playing with water from the fountain are bad choices when it come to being safe. Someone could fall on a wet floor or slip on a piece of food.”

“Good Job,” said Miss Pat. “You do know how to make good choices to be safe in and out of school!