As students prepare to get back to school, Calgary Police Service are urging parents and guardians to have conversations with children of all age groups about personal safety, including staying safe online and adopt safe travel habits.
Acting Sgt. Leah Berti of the Calgary Police Service School Resource Officer team, said that the School Resource Officers were “excited to be back in schools and reconnect with students as they begin another school year. The start of a new school year is a great opportunity to make positive choices, build new friendships and set goals for success. We encourage students of all ages to treat one another with kindness and respect, and to show that same respect to their teachers, school staff and administrators who help make our schools safe and welcoming places.”
Some essential back to school safety tips that were recommended by the police was to have children memorize their name, age, address and contact numbers. Police are also encouraging students to maintain situational awareness at all time, travel with friends whenever possible, identify trusting adults who they can contact in an emergency situation and report any instances of bullying or suspicious activity. Children are being advised to exercise caution while posting personal information, photos, videos and comments online.
With increased traffic CPS have advised both young drivers and parents to exercise caution around school grounds. Teen drivers are being urged to slow down in playground and school zones, eliminate distractions behind the wheel, build extra travel time into morning commutes, and watch closely for pedestrians, cyclists, and school buses. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers dropping children off can keep roadways safe by following designated drop-off protocols, obeying local signage, refraining from double parking or stopping in crosswalks, and staying vigilant for children entering roadways unexpectedly.
To reinforce these safety measures throughout the year, CPS is introducing multi-platform educational programs targeting different age groups.
For younger students in kindergarten through Grade 5, police are launching Simon Says, an initiative delivering age-appropriate safety concepts through school newsletters, classroom materials, and direct community outreach. For older students in Grades 6 through 12, CPS is expanding its digital outreach by utilizing platforms like TikTok to share engaging content on digital citizenship, online safety, and positive decision-making. Through a mix of in-person mentorship and digital engagement, police hope to equip Calgary youth with the tools needed to stay safe both in their neighborhoods and online.