Frazier elementary students learn about safety
Elementary school students in the Frazier School District used a special compass last week to help guide them toward responsibility during the “Officer Phil and Pals Child Safety Program.”
The Perryopolis Borough Police Department has sponsored the program for more than 10 years that uses animated puppets to speak to children about peer pressure, stranger awareness, bullying and Internet safety in a fun-filled way.
“It seems like every year the kids get more involved,” said Gary Farrell, Perryopolis policeman and school resource officer at Frazier.
The program included presentations at Perry Elementary School and Central Elementary School involving ventriloquism, comedy and magic tricks used to convey this year’s theme of “On the Road to Responsibility.”
Students also learned practical strategies on how to navigate away from such places as “Stranger Street” and “Bully Boulevard.”
The program is designed to help students make sound choices regarding personal safety and civic responsibility by engaging in group thinking with their classmates and continue discussing such topics throughout the year with police officers, teachers, friends and family.
Some of Phil’s pals include “Turbo the Turtle”, “Mac the Mouse” and “Rockin Robin,” which are used to motivate children to help each other solve problems such as vandalism and home-alone emergencies.
“They learn a lot,” said Farrell.
Perryopolis police Chief Roger Beadling said he used to take part in the program before Farrell.
“They use all kinds of techniques to get the message across to the kids,” said Beadling.
At the end of the show, students received a safety workbook aimed to show the value of community in dealing with personal safety and crime prevention issues.