Safety Town Program
This program is currently unavailable. Click here to view all of our current programs.
Safety Town, sponsored by ALPAL, takes place at Westview Elementary School located at 155 Moore Rd. This safety education program is offered to Avon Lake residents entering kindergarten. One important goal is that each child will be able to state their full name, address and phone number. Participants will receive instruction on how to protect themselves from strangers, and meet the people who provide safety services to our city. They will ride on an actual school bus, and receive instruction on school bus safety.
A staff consisting of two certified teachers and several youth volunteers from our community will be present daily to help the children learn about important safety issues. The children will spend part of their day outdoors (weather permitting) learning how to stay safe in a miniature town that includes crosswalks, traffic signals, and sidewalks. They will ride around their town on kit cars with supervision from our staff.
Monday, June 13 – Friday, June 17
8:30-10:30 AM
11:30 AM-1:30 PM
2:30-4:30 PM
5:30-7:30 PM
Monday, June 20 – Friday, June 24
8:30-10:30 AM
11:30 AM-1:30 PM
2:30-4:30 PM
5:30-7:30 PM
Monday, June 27 – Friday, July 1
8:30-10:30 AM
*An additional class may be added this week based on kindergarten enrollment numbers.
Registration begins Monday, March 7th at 9am
Non-resident registration begins Friday, April 1st at 9am
Registration DEADLINE EXTENDED till Monday, May 9th at 11:59pm
We cannot allow late registration due to program preparation time so please be sure to register on time.
Registration Resident Fee: $60.00 per child per class.
Registration Non-Resident Fee: $70.00 per child per class.
Classes are restricted to a maximum of 27 participants. The strict class size limitations have been set in order to safely and efficiently run Safety Town so that each child benefits from the training. Each safety town session runs for 5 days, two hours per day.
Is Safety Town a mandatory program for children entering Kindergarten?
No, Safety Town is not a mandatory program for children entering Kindergarten in the fall. This program is designed to help teach critical safety skills to children but is not mandatory.
What age is the Safety Town Program designed for?
The Safety Town Program is designed for children registered for Kindergarten in the upcoming fall. Children not enrolled in Kindergarten are not permitted to register. This includes children in pre-school and grades higher than Kindergarten.
How can I prepare my child for Safety Town this summer?
One of the goals of Safety Town is learning their parent’s full names, their address and a phone number. This is something we review with your child each day, but it’s always nice to have a head start. Ideally children would know their right and left, which helps with learning their bike signals. Children should also be independent in their self-care when using the restroom.
What if my child needs special assistance with learning?
Please make us aware of any special assistance needed when registering. Our lead teachers are both certified teachers and hold special education certificates as well. They will work with you to make accommodations so that your child can learn and grow in this inclusive program.
What pre-cautions will you be taking in regards to Covid-19?
The Avon Lake Parks and Recreation Department follows the guidelines provided by the Lorain County Board of Health. Class sizes are limited to 27 and social distancing will be in place when possible. The portions of class that are indoor are held in a gymnasium where children are seated at individual desk and we have plenty of room to social distance. Please note that the guidelines are ever-changing and we will update parents of any changes prior to the start of the program.
Do parents stay with the child at Safety Town?
Parents are asked to drop children off and to return at the end of the 2 hour daily session. Parents are encouraged not to be in the classroom or in the Safety Town outdoor town. There are benches outside the playground and we prefer parents sit here if needed, so they do not distract their children from learning.
Is there a graduation ceremony?
NEW THIS YEAR: We will be having a ceremony on the last day of class. More details will be emailed to parents and they are welcome to attend.
Do the participants need to bring anything to the program?
The participants should bring a positive attitude and they should wear weather appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. We also suggest bringing a water bottle with your child’s name on it. There is no air conditioning in the building and though we use a large fan, it can get warm.
How many children are in a Safety Town Class?
There are a maximum of 27 children per regular Safety Town Class. The maximum number is to ensure a safely and efficiently run class as well as the best teacher to student ratio.
What is the teacher to student ratio?
The teacher/leader to student ratio is 1:3, there are two teachers and 9 teen leaders per Safety Town Class of 27.
What is the drop-off/pick-up process?
We are asking parents to remain in their vehicles during drop off and pick up. Drop off will be at the back of Westview in the back parking lot behind the building at the first door. A teacher and/or Teen Leader will greet you and your child at your vehicle and confirm your child is registered for that session. Our Teen Leader will escort your child into the school to begin their day. A hang-tag will be distributed at drop off the first day of class with your assigned number. One additional hang-tag may be requested for an additional authorized caretaker. Parents and/or caretakers are expected to drop each child off a maximum of ten minutes before the class and they are expected to pick-up their child at the designated end time. Child pick up will be at the back of the parking lot behind the building near the playground. Only individuals listed at the time of registration will be permitted to pick up the child. A photo ID must be presented upon pick-up each day. If additional people (not listed during registration) are required to pick up the child this must be put in writing ASAP and given to the program manager or lead teacher.
What happens if my child gets sick or injured in the program?
Children that get sick or injured during the program are isolated and contact is made with the parent or guardian. We may ask that your child leave for the day to avoid spreading of communicable diseases. In the event of a serious illness or injury emergency services will be called to respond. It is imperative that we have the parents contact information to keep you informed of the situation regarding your child.
I live in another city. Can my child participate in the Avon Lake Safety Town program?
The Avon Lake Safety Town program is a popular program and we often fill each class. Non-residents are permitted to register starting Friday, April 1st at 9am. Our goal is to accommodate all Avon Lake residents prior to non-residents.
Do the children receive a snack during the Safety Town class?
No, we do not provide snacks during the Safety Town program and we prefer that children do not bring their own snacks to the class. We do suggest students bring their own water bottles to class as drinking fountains may not be available.