Area preschoolers spent a week of July in the annual Rossford Safety Town program receiving helpful advice such as safe places in the neighborhood, wearing a seatbelt in the car, and how to deal with strangers, among other practices.
After a week of training, Safety Town “graduates” received their diplomas July 30.
The program was coordinated this year by Officer Jodi Johnson and Officer Wes Socie, school resource officers of the Rossford Police Department.
“This is a great opportunity for children to learn about safety–not only in the summertime–but also for beginning their lives in school,” Officer Johnson explained.
Officer Socie agreed, adding “these young students are beginning to venture out a little more independently, and they need the guidance to ensure they do it safely. The teachers, student helpers and we are more than excited to help the kids with this.”
Speakers for the week included Fire Chief Josh Drouard and his firefighters, Rossford Schools transportation staff, Kevin Darr of Norfolk Southern Railroad and Rossford Schools nurse Tammy Myers.
Other participating agencies were Toledo Children’s Hospital, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Wood County Sheriff’s special response team, Wood County Recycling, Safe Communities Wood County and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
This year’s Safety Town participants were:
Yellow Group–Jonah Berlekamp, Layla Boris, Gabriela Escobar, Rae Fedio, Adelyn Konidaris, Zane LaFountain, Jackson Lawnizak, Harper Myers, CJ North, Caroline Pape, Mila Pecina, Gavin Rogalski, Harper Russell, Callan Rutherford, Madi Sigrist, Storm Stautzenbach, Penelope Taylor, Aubree Umstead, Adelise Wilson and Layla Whelan.
Green Group–Devin Cindle, Orion Ferrara, Noelle Franklin, Octavia Freeman, Ollie Grant, Bostyn Hanudel, JP Jaros, Gavin Lump, Elliot Marciniak, Brayden Martin, Valerie Mercurio, Trinity Mysinger, Liz Pecina, Judea Romanowicz, Jason Switzer, Pax Stautzenbach, Derek Weaks, Liam Whitaker and Mollie Yenrick.
Red Group–Charlotte Artz, Brady Caig, Riley Cobb, Gino DiMasso, Liam Grzymkowski, Grady Haas, Bryan Lahie, Suzie Lahie, Oliver McMahon, Isaiah Mitchell, Ethan Richards, Jaxson Schmidt, Mac Steer, Mav Stautzenbach, Addie Stewart, Jacob Stuchel, Ellen Urrutia, Abby Vascik and Lucas Verbosky.
The Safety Town teachers were Kristen Vargo, Laren Cox and Becky Schardt.
Volunteers who helped at the program were Mason Vasik, Gabby Bailey, Tori Sears, Madelynn Douglas, Libby Hess, Mackenzie Pape, Keegan Johnson, Logan Vargo, Kiersten Johnson, Meghan Johnson and Alex Vargo.