Elementary students learn about safety education, support The Ride for Missing Children

Oct. 5, 2009 - Students, faculty and staff cheered on a group of cyclists who made Voorheesville Elementary School a rest stop on their 100-mile ride for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCME) in late September. The purpose of the ride was to honor missing and exploited children and raise awareness about the plight of all missing children and the need for child safety education.

The cyclists entered the parking lot escorted by New York State Police and local law enforcement, and once inside recharged with breakfast sandwiches provided by the Voorheesville PTA.

The cyclists’ arrival was the highlight of a safety education program that students attended earlier this fall. During the assembly, students learned about bicycle, Internet and personal safety from several different speakers including a local cyclist and Voorheesville parent Kim Cardona.

The following general safety rules were covered:

• Always ask for a parent/guardian’s permission before going anywhere.

• Use the buddy system—bring a friend with you when going places.

• Children must know that they have the right to say no if anyone tries to touch them in a way that makes them feel frightened, confused or uncomfortable.

• Tell parents or other trusted adults about anything that makes you uncomfortable.

In addition, students collected enough change to help NCME create 760 posters of missing children. According to the NCME Web site, distributing posters is one of the most effective tools used to help locate children who are missing.