Stressing Safety at Central Boulevard Elementary

(Photo/Story by Kris Melvin-Denenberg, Syntax Communication)

Throughout the month of February, Bethpage School District's Central Boulevard Elementary School welcomed presenters from the Yello Dyno Child Protection Program; a children's anti-victimization group. The school presented several different age-appropriate child safety programs to the different grade levels of students with the help of a special grant.

Yello Dyno Educators Sharon Dorros and Sharon Yarmeisch visited the younger students at the school. The guests spoke about personal safety and “tricky people.” In addition to using simple games, music, and role-play, Ms. Dorros and Ms. Yarmeisch also were assisted by their puppet friend Yello Dyno. Together the team stressed the importance of personal body space and also shared several simple safety techniques. The older students at Central Boulevard had the opportunity to meet with Yello Dyno Educator Susan Kennedy. Ms. Kennedy presented a Yello Dyno program titled Play It Safe On The Internet . The curriculum in this program is geared toward students in grades four through seven and emphasizes the dangers children may encounter while using the Internet. Using a Power Point presentation and uncomplicated language, this program focused on methods young children may use to safeguard themselves from cyber bullies and child predators. An important focus of the discussion centered on the need for students to make an adult aware of any inappropriate or threatening information they come across, so that the proper steps may be taken to secure personal safety. Censoring personal information when sending emails and posting blogs was another important message highlighted during the presentation.

Thanks to the speakers and the Yello Dyno method, the important message of how to assure personal and Internet safety in this sometime troubling world was conveyed in a non-confrontational, non-frightening manner for students.