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3 RCPS Schools Among 50 Virginia Schools Awarded "Safe School and Safe Students in Virginia" Mini-Grants

Broadway High School, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, and Montevideo Middle School were recently awarded $1,000 "Safe School and Safe Students in Virginia" mini-grants from the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Injury & Violence Prevention. Only 50 schools in Virginia were selected as grant recipients.

Purpose of the grant as stated in the grant application:

"In an effort to reduce unintentional injuries among school-age children throughout the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention (DIVP) is offering reimbursable grants up to $1,000 for up to 50 Virginia schools. The Safe Schools and Safe Students in Virginia Mini-Grant is being offered to support schools in implementing one or more activities or projects or activities supported by the Safe Schools and Safe Students in Virginia Guidelines (http://www.vahealth.org/civp/educator/safeschoolsguide.asp)."

 

BHS Plans Schoolwide Tolerance Activities

BHS Assistant Principal Kelly Troxell applied for the grant and was excited to learn that her proposal was among those selected. Troxell is a member of the school's Tolerance Committee.

"We have a great team of individuals who are committed to making our school community a safe place to learn and work. These funds will ensure the success of our activities," reports Troxell.

So far this year, the committee has organized "Tolerance Tuesdays" and a mini health fair, "Nobody is Powerless to Stop Bullying". Activities are also being planned for March 30-April 3, 2009 to recognize National Youth Violence Prevention Week. Each day will have a unique theme and related activities:

Monday - Respect and Tolerance (Activity: People Quilt during lunches)
Tuesday - Support Safety (Activity: Claymation Movie to entire school and Pin Buttons)
Wednesday - Manage Your Anger (Activity: Hot Chocolate)
Thursday - Unite in Action (Activity: Acts of Kindness display during lunches)
Friday - Resolve Conflicts Peacefully (Activity: Schoolwide 60's-Style Dress-up Day)

More information on National Youth Violence Prevention Week can be found online at http://www.nyvpw.org/index.html?menu=about.

 

JFHMS Purchases Radios for Communication

JFHMS is using the grant to purchase new portable two-way radios for the school. The school received 8 new Motorola BPR 40 radios (3 for administration, 1 for main office, 2 for custodians, 2 for gym classes).

According to JFHMS Assistant Principal Kevin Hutton, the radios help school personnel and students in the following ways:

1. Ability to communicate in all parts of the building and to communicate with physical education classes when holding sessions outside.
2. Ability to effectively prevent student injury by communicating pertinent information to key members of the school when an incident occurs.
3. Increase confidence in school personnel by having a reliable communication system.
4. Improve current efforts already underway at school to prevent student injury.

 

"Montevideo Motor Patrol" Fosters Safety Belt Use

MMS is using funds to implement a Montevideo Motor Patrol project to target the 678 MMS students, their families and the local school community who travel to, from, and past the school every day. The Montevideo Motor Patrol project focuses on one specific traffic safety issue — the proper use and importance of vehicle safety belts.

"To date, the students have designed a brochure, created a survey, and put a safety belt message on our school sign out front. During February, they will be collecting data and handing out brochures in the morning as parents drop students off at school." notes MMS Principal Lisa Milliken, who led the effort to secure this grant.

Other activities the project seeks to carry out include teen-inspired commercials and public address announcements, mock tickets to students not wearing belts, incentive awards to those wearing belts, and classroom multimedia presentations.

The main outcome expected as a result of the work completed by the Montevideo Motor Patrol is that safety belt use by future teen drivers (the 678 sixth through eighth graders at Montevideo Middle School) will increase and maintain.

 

For further information about the program, see School Based Injury Prevention Program